Using "user32.dll" to move the chart to a past date with code | Forex Factory

Options

Permalinks
Print Thread

Similar Threads

Wininet.dll & user32.dll. Can we use it in Macintosh MT4/MT5? 0 replies

Can this DLL import be malicious code? 6 replies

"Dll calls must be allowed!" 3 replies

Multiple EAs using single DLL with DLL Windows - Using Delphi 9 replies

export tick/candle data from MT using DLL in EA 0 replies

Attachments: Using "user32.dll" to move the chart to a past date with code
Exit Attachments

Using "user32.dll" to move the chart to a past date with code

  • #1
  • First Post: Jan 25, 2014 12:58am Jan 25, 2014 12:58am
There is a feature in MT4 which allows us to navigate to a past date in the chart, so today is 25. january. 2014, and i want to navigate to lets say 1.1.2006, then i would have to do that manually, by pressing the ENTER key and using the "navigator box" to navigate to that past date.

Attached Image


Now what i want is to do this without manually entering the date to the navigator box, using WINAPI and the user32.dll file provided with MT4.

It is a simple task, yet i`m stuck with it, because i`m not very familiar with WINAPI commands and .DLL controls, so i`m asking for help to complete my code please.

The task is simple: PRESS ENTER -> WRITE THE DATE AUTOMATICALLY -> PRESS ENTER

And if this is done by code, then the navigation will be automatical to that specified date.

Here is my code, and here is where i got stuck:

outside functions:
Inserted Code
#import "user32.dll"
void keybd_event(int bVk,int bScan,int dwFlags,int dwExtraInfo);
               int      SetWindowTextA(int hWnd,string lpString);
                  int      GetActiveWindow();
                  
#import
#define VK_RETURN 13 //ENTER key

init()

Inserted Code
int init()
{
 keybd_event(VK_RETURN,0,0,0);
 SetWindowTextA(GetActiveWindow(),"2012.1.1 10:30");

// keybd_event(VK_RETURN,0,0,0);

//----
   return(0);
  }

But for some reason, the last command doesnt write the date "2012.1.1 10:30" into the navigator box, it remains empty.

So again the mission is: ENTER ->WRITE IN THE DATE->ENTER, and this way the MT4 will automatically navigate me to the date which i want.

Please help, thanks
"There's a sucker born every minute" - P.T. Barnum
  • #2
  • Edited 2:51am Jan 25, 2014 2:32am | Edited 2:51am
You have to do a keybd_event() call for each char in the string you want to enter. keybd_event(VK_RETURN,0,0,0) is the last key. The first will be '2': keybd_event(3,0,0,0). You probably need to simulate both a keypress and a key release. See the example and the key codes in the docs:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/libr...=vs.85%29.aspx
Here is an example simulating the pressing pause button in an EA:
Inserted Code
  // Press/release Pause button.
  keybd_event(19,0,0,0);
  Sleep(200);
  keybd_event(19,0,2,0);

The sleep() function should not be used in an indicator so one will need a different solution if it is needed.
  • #3
  • Jan 25, 2014 4:28am Jan 25, 2014 4:28am
Quoting Xaphod
You have to do a keybd_event() call for each char in the string you want to enter. keybd_event(VK_RETURN,0,0,0) is the last key. The first will be '2': keybd_event(3,0,0,0). You probably need to simulate both a keypress and a key release. See the example and the key codes in the docs: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/libr...=vs.85%29.aspx Here is an example simulating the pressing pause button in an EA: // Press/release Pause button. keybd_event(19,0,0,0); Sleep(200); keybd_event(19,0,2,0); The sleep() function...
That would be way too hard and complicated.

I would have to match up the hexadecimal id of each key with its letter corespondent, because i want the date to be inputed externally, and that would be a hell work.

Attached Image


Isnt there any other solution how i could input text in that damn navigator box ? O am i doomed
"There's a sucker born every minute" - P.T. Barnum
  • #4
  • Edited 6:35am Jan 25, 2014 6:24am | Edited 6:35am
Quoting Proximus
{quote} That would be way too hard and complicated. I would have to match up the hexadecimal id of each key with its letter corespondent, because i want the date to be inputed externally, and that would be a hell work. {image} Isnt there any other solution how i could input text in that damn navigator box ? O am i doomed
A bit more work, yes. Hard and complicated, no. You are only entering numbers and a few other chars. The codes for 1 to 9 are in sequence. A relatively simple conversion function will suffice. A few if statements/blocks can do it. If that is too hard to do, one could use a switch control statement with 14 case units (0-9 . : SPACE CR). Not hard.

Pseudo code:
Inserted Code
void send_key(int next_char) {
   int key_code;
   key_code=char_to_keycode(next_char):
   keybd_event(key_code,0,0,0); 
   SleepEx(10); 
   keybd_event(key_code,0,2,0);
   return;
}

int char_to_keycode(int next_char) {
  switch(next_char) {
    case '1':
      return(2);
    case '2':
      return(3);
    .
    .
    .
    case '\n':
      return(13);
  }
  return(0);   
}
  • #5
  • Jan 25, 2014 8:33am Jan 25, 2014 8:33am
Quoting Xaphod
A bit more work, yes. Hard and complicated, no.
Yes it's quite simple to code. I don't think you need to sleep between the keydown and keyup. The only complication is the shifted characters like ":" will need a shift down, key down, key up, shift up sequence.
  • #6
  • Jan 26, 2014 7:28pm Jan 26, 2014 7:28pm
Quoting Proximus
{quote}Isnt there any other solution how i could input text in that damn navigator box ? O am i doomed
Why don't you create a hotkey with the required date ? So when you hit the hotkey, it will fill the navigator box.
MT4/MT5 EAs/Indicators/Alerts coder
  • #7
  • Last Post: Edited 7:44am Jan 27, 2014 7:13am | Edited 7:44am
Quoting Proximus
So again the mission is: ENTER ->WRITE IN THE DATE->ENTER, and this way the MT4 will automatically navigate me to the date which i want.
Try the attached script...it works on my pc.

Depending on the keyboard (and locale) you use, you may need to mess with the date separators logic a little.
Attached File(s)
File Type: mq4 ScrollToDate.mq4   4 KB | 843 downloads
0 traders viewing now