MetaTrader Global » Metatrader 5 beta

Download MetaTrader 5

MetaTrader Global — Thu, 13 May 2010 04:04:34 +0000

MetaTrader 5 Beta Testing

MetaTrader 5 is at the stage of public beta testing.

Please join the testing, and help MetaQuotes to improve the new client terminal for Forex, CFD and Futures, as well as equity markets.

To download MetaTrader 5, please visit http://www.metatraderglobal.com/metatrader-5-download/

To read more about the MetaTrader 5 beta, please visit http://www.metatraderglobal.com/183/public-beta-testing-of-the-metatrader-5-terminal/

List of changes in the Help for MQL5 – MetaTrader 5

MetaTrader Global — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:09:22 +0000

Below is a list changes in the MQL5 Help file.

Note: The Help is not updated automatically but can be downloaded at: http://www.mql4.com/files/mql5.chm

Added the OBJPROP_READONLY property for the Edit graphical object, which enables/disables editing of a text in this object;
Added an example for the IndicatorRelease() function;
Added the IndicatorCreate() function in the “Access to timeseries and indicators” section;
Added the ENUM_INDICATOR enumeration, indicating the type of an indicator for the IndicatorCreate() function, in the “Standard Constants, Enumerations, and Structures / Constants of Indicators / Types of Technical Indicators” section;
Added the ENUM_DATATYPE enumeration to specify the type of an input parameter in the “Standard Constants, Enumerations, and Structures / Constants of Indicators / Identifiers of Data Types” section;
Added the MqlParam structure in the “Standard Constants, Enumerations, and Structures / Constants of Indicators / Structure of Indicator Input Parameters” section;
Added errors in the “Standard Constants, Enumerations, and Structures / Error and Warning Codes / Runtime Errors” section.

ERR_INDICATOR_WRONG_PARAMETERS
4808
Invalid number of parameters in indicator creation

ERR_INDICATOR_PARAMETERS_MISSING
4809
No parameters at indicator creation

ERR_INDICATOR_CUSTOM_NAME
4810
The first parameter of an array must be the indicator name

ERR_INDICATOR_PARAMETER_TYPE
4811
Invalid parameter type in the error at indicator creation

Source – http://forum.mql4.com/27395

Quote History in MetaTrader 5 (MT5)

MetaTrader Global — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 03:08:05 +0000

In MetaTrader 5 the history of quotes is stored only in M1 format (from 1993, before – D1 format) and all the charts are built based on it. When the terminal is first installed, the history is empty. The history is stored in \MetaTrader 5\Bases\Default\History\”currency”\ folder and has the .hcc (uncompressed) format. The history is transferred from the MetaQuotes’s server in a space-efficient archive format of data storing so for example the 10 years 1-minute history of quotes for GBPUSD takes around 10-13 megabytes, uncompressed around 100-150 megabytes.

In order to download all history for a selected currency and show it on the chart, first open the options menu, then charts and select “unlimited bars in chart” option.

After that go to the maximum timeframe of 1 month or 1 week and simply move your chart to the beginning and the history will begin to download. You can press the “Home” button on your keyboard and hold it until the download is finished.

According to MetaQuotes, the option to edit history and view history like in MT4 will be added later.

Source: http://metatrader5.blogspot.com/2009/10/history-in-metatrader-5.html

Analytics in MetaTrader 5

MetaTrader Global — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:59:38 +0000

Analytics is one of the most important components of trading. Based on analytical data, a trader can decide what operation to execute, when to do it and the profit/loss of the trade. The MetaTrader 5 platform offers you wide analytical possibilities!

Charts

Charts constitute a work field for technical analysis. This is where dynamics of security quotes are featured, technical indicators and graphical objects are applied. The number of charts that can be used in a terminal is unlimited, and they can be positioned in any way. This enables traders to adjust their workplaces to their own needs.

Every chart can be individually set up. Traders can use the detailed setup of color schemes, displaying of additional data objects and scaling, which allows the configuration of every chart according to the needs of a certain analytical tool. For example, you can setup the displaying of separators for larger periods, the OHLS line, and the chart scaling for the adequate featuring of Gann tools.

Chart Properties Window

All the chart settings can be saved in Templates and Profiles. Templates store almost all the parameters of a chart: its type, color scheme, scale, applied technical indicators, graphical objects and others. In Profiles you can save charts with their templates, as well as their location. All these tools enable you to quickly set up your workplace.

Charts Profiles and Templates

In the client terminal, the history of quotes for each security is used for building charts. In MetaTrader 5, the history is stored as M1 (one minute) only, and all the charts are built based on these data. The terminal supports 21 timeframe for each security, starting from a minute to a month one.

The main limitation of timeframes is their multiplicity: one hour must contain an integer number of minute periods, and a day must consist of an integer number of hour periods. According to this rule, the following timeframes are available in the terminal: M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M10, M12, M15, M20 and M30.The available hour periods are: H1, H2, H3, H4, H6, H8 and H12. Three more timeframes are D1, W1 and MN1. So many available timeframes allow using any analytical tools, detecting long and short-term trends, and precisely defining entry and exit points.

Timeframe Toolbar

The terminal is installed with an empty history. In order to upload data, open the corresponding chart, and minute quotes for the previous 30 days will be uploaded. If you need more data (for example, if your indicator uses large periods for calculation), simply move your chart to the beginning, and additional history will be uploaded.

A space-efficient format of data storing is implemented in MetaTrader 5. Thus, the ten years’ 1-minute history of quotes for GBPUSD takes as little as 10 megabytes. Having uploaded this history once, you can build all the charts for this symbol, from M1 to MN1.

The terminal offers three chart types to display data: linear chart, candlesticks and bars. So, you can choose the most convenient one for analyzing prices. To help you analyze, the terminal contains 38 built-in technical indicators and 39 analytical objects.

Indicators

Technical indicators are automatic tools generating signals based on various calculations. The built-in indicators of the MetaTrader 5 terminal cover almost all needs for analytical tools. The terminal offers you the most popular trend indicators, oscillators, Bill Williams’ tools and many other instruments. Should you need any specialized tool, you can write it in the MQL5 language or download/purchase a ready-made program.

Technical Indicators in MetaTrader 5

In MetaTrader 5, indicators can be located over a price chart or they can be displayed in a separate window. In calculations, indicators use securities’ price quotes, as well as values of other indicators. So, you can create tools for complex trading systems and combine different indicators. For example, you can apply Moving Average to Awesome Oscillator and obtain its signal line.

Indicators Applied to Other Indicators in MetaTrader 5

For every parameter, not only indicator featuring parameters (line color and width, window scale and others) can be chosen, but also calculation parameters can be set. For example, instead of the default period of 10 bars, 50 or 150 bars can be set for the Moving Average. Besides, different levels can be applied to indicators to make analysis easier (constructing channels, support/resistance lines, etc.).

Objects

Unlike indicators, analytical objects aren’t automatic, and should be applied to a chart or indicator manually. Custom objects can’t be developed in MQL5, that’s why we tried to include as many analytical objects as possible, to help traders analyze prices.

‘Simple’ Analytical Tools in MetaTrader 5

MetaTrader 5 contains 39 analytical objects. You can use simple tools to mark different points, levels, limits and areas: arrows, labels, shapes, lines and pictures. Terminal also offers more complex Gann tools, Fibonacci and Elliott tools, and channels to help you detect regularities in price dynamics.

Interactive analytical Tools in MetaTrader 5

Another important group contains interactive objects. They are buttons, entry fields and charts. Buttons and entry fields are used in MQL5 programs. For example, some actions of an expert Advisor can be assigned to a button, and parameters can be transmitted to an EA through an entry field. The Charts object is a picture-in-picture function allowing to impose an additional chart of any security to the current price chart. This enables you to follow the dynamics of several symbols and analyze them.

Source: http://forum.mql4.com/26429

MetaTrader 5 Beta Download Link

MetaTrader Global — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:24:02 +0000

To download MetaTrader 5 Client Terminal please click the following link: http://www.metatraderglobal.com/metatrader-5-download/

Please publish any bug reports or suggestions on the MQL5 community forum – http://www.mql5.com/en/forum/

To read more about the MetaTrader 5 beta, please visit http://www.metatraderglobal.com/183/public-beta-testing-of-the-metatrader-5-terminal/

MetaTrader 5 Beta Screenshots

MetaTrader Global — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:59:38 +0000

With the MetaTrader 5 platform installed and time to check its new features. Some traders are excited to already find some of the features they have been looking for since using the old Metatrader 3, such as multiple time frames: it has 2 hrs charts, 8 hrs, 12 hrs etc.

MetaTrader 5 also has a lot more indicators in the base version. Please feel free to share your thoughts and new features you find useful.

To download the MetaTrader 5 beta please view this post http://www.metatraderglobal.com/183/public-beta-testing-of-the-metatrader-5-terminal/

Thanks to Liviu for these thoughts.

First broker to use MetaTrader 5 – Alpari Russia

MetaTrader Global — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 03:05:19 +0000

Recently, Alpari Russia announced the upcoming availability of MetaTrader 5 for its clients. Real trading accounts will be available after the general public beta testing of MetaTrader 5. As we know, the new version of MetaTrader will allow to trade not only forex but options, futures and equities. This means that brokers who offer trading in such financial instruments can also use MetaTrader 5 as their trading platform.

Some traders believe that after Alpari, the MetaTrader 5 terminal will be used by FXOpen or Forex4you because both of them are known for being very innovative in their approach to traders and both rely heavily on MetaTrader and its attractiveness ( for example the NFA ruling compliance support ). Today, more than 300 brokers all over the world already use MetaTrader 4. With MetaTrader 5, this number will probably grow higher.

- Read the announcement here

- Watch the video Alapri prepared about MetaTrader 5 (in Russian) here

Source: http://metatrader5.blogspot.com/2009/10/alpari-russia-is-first-broker-to-use.html

Public Beta Testing of the MetaTrader 5 Terminal

MetaTrader Global — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:02:02 +0000

The public beta testing of the MetaTrader 5 client terminal starts today. This is the notional day for all of you, who are waiting for our new trading platform.

The stage of the closed beta testing of the client terminal is over. Totally, we’ve received about 300 bug reports and suggestions from our testers. The most of bugs have been fixed, while suggestions have been considered, and we’re planning to implement them. Since the testing started, we’ve released 20 builds of the client terminal.

Now it’s time for the next stage in the development of the MetaTrader 5 platform. Today the public testing of the MetaTrader 5 client terminal starts. Any trader can participate in it. You can also inform your traders about the testing and offer the new terminal to them.

To become a tester one should download the terminal, test it and publish bug reports/suggestions on the MQL5 community forum – http://www.mql5.com/en/forum/

You can download MetaTrader 5 Client Terminal by the following link: http://www.metatraderglobal.com/metatrader-5-download/

Plans for MetaTrader 5 Testing

1. The platform testing will take about 5-6 months.

2. This will be a step-by-step testing. New possibilities will be added at each step. During the first testing stage that starts today, the client terminal will work only with Forex. Further we will add CFD, Futures, equities and options.

3. The current terminal version is offered without a strategy tester. It will be included at next steps.

4. From November, 2009, we open the testing of back-office components of the platform in brokerage companies.

We do our best to offer you the maximally stable product, that’s why the testing process has a multi-step structure. We want to thoroughly check everything before we offer the platform to our clients.

Metatrader 5 Development – Interview with Stanislav Starikov

MetaTrader Global — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:29:15 +0000

The new Metatrader 5 platform and the MQL5 language are nearing the end of development and will be probably launched in fall 2009. MT5 will replace MT4 and the new code is completely written from scratch. The bad point is that MT5 will be not compatible with MT4. This means that every indicator and expert advisor needs to be rewritten to work with the Metatrader 5 platform.

Metatrader 5 features

High performance and outstanding working speed
3 chart-types, 21 timeframes and over 70 analytical tools
5 order types and 4 execution modes available for trading operations on different markets (forex, options, futures and stocks)
Advanced built-in reports on all trading activities
MQL5 development environment with new IntellySence system and more advanced strategy tester

Interview with Stanislav Starikov, leading programmer of Metatrader 5

Q: Stanislav, there are several topics in forums about the development of a new platform MetaTrader 5 and the MQL5. Could you, please, tell us about this?

A: Really, the development of the new trading platform is in full swing. And MQL5 development is its closing stage. And like the previous time with MQL4, we are going to release the development environment MQL5 earlier than the client terminal, so that traders can get acquainted with all new possibilities of our language.

Q: And what are its new possibilities?

A: First of all, it includes new data types, a new structure, classes and, in this respect, the object-oriented programming. We also introduced projects and considerably increased the program execution speed.

Q: Please, tell us about the new data type. What for are they introduced in MQL5?

A: In MQL4 we had three main data types: INT, DOUBLE and STRING. Now we have added new types: CHAR, SHORT, LONG, FLOAT, STRINGS became Unicode. We also added STRUCTURES and CLASSES. What for are we doing this? In programming languages like C++ such data types already exist. And now it is much easier to transfer source codes written in C++ into our MQL5.

For example, the winner of the championship 2007 (Better) told in his interview that he developed his EA in C++ and after debugging it he transferred the code into MQL4. Now all this will be much easier to do. Besides, already in MQL4 we included the possibility of using Windows API functions or functions from other DLL’s. Very often such functions may be of these structure types. And now we made such calls easier, meaning, we made working with MQL5 easier.

Q: What are CLASSES and Object-oriented programming?

A: A CLASS is the same STRUCTURE, but with added functions for processing data of this STRUCTURE. It allows hiding functionality, i.e. all these FUNCTIONS inside a CLASS; And a program now can be constructed out of CLASS OBJECTS like out of bricks. First of all, it simplifies programming, i.e. it becomes easier to write such programs, to read such programs and to modify such programs in the future. And consider the situation when Programs become larger and larger. In this situation CLASSES will be of great help.

Q: Could you please tell us about PROJECTS?

A: As I have already said, programs are becoming more and more complicated. In this respect, it is reasonable to divide a source text into several files. For example, one file for each CLASS. PROJECTS introduced into MQL5 allow assembling a ready program out of these files. This is also a great help in writing a program.

Q: Stanislav, you have said that you increased MQL5 program execution speed. How did you manage to do this? Well, in MQL4 the speed was rather high.

A: Tell you the truth, we had reserves. Actually, in MQL4 a compiler gets an interpretable byte code. In MQL5 we also get a byte code, but like in >NET during the code uploading, this byte code is transformed into a native x86 code, i.e. processor commands. So as a result, the program in a native language works much faster than any byte code. Moreover, we invested much time and effort into the question of code optimization. Thus we managed to speed up the program execution.

Q: Can you tell how much higher the program execution speed will be in MQL5 as compared to that in MQL4?

A: No, I can’t tell this right now, because we haven’t conducted objective tests yet. But I can tell for sure, that the speed will be several times higher. Well, wait for news.

You can watch the interview and ask questions to Stanislav here.

Written by Glen Gotsk