MQL4 vs MQL5: Which language is better for developing FX trading strategies?

AlgoPro Academy
3 min readApr 15, 2023

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Automated trading has become increasingly popular in the foreign exchange (FX) market. In order to develop FX trading strategies, traders need to have a good understanding of programming languages, such as MQL4 and MQL5. MQL4 and MQL5 are both programming languages that are used for developing automated trading strategies in the FX market. Both languages are developed by MetaQuotes Software Corp., the company behind the popular trading platform, MetaTrader.

MQL4 was the first programming language that was used for developing automated trading strategies in the FX market. It was released in 2005 and is still widely used today. MQL5, on the other hand, was released in 2010 as an updated version of MQL4. Both MQL4 and MQL5 are similar in many ways, but there are some key differences between the two languages.

One of the main differences between MQL4 and MQL5 is the syntax. MQL5 is a more advanced programming language, which means that the syntax is more complex than MQL4. However, MQL5 is more flexible and allows for more advanced trading strategies to be developed. MQL4, on the other hand, is easier to learn and is more suitable for beginner traders.

Another difference between MQL4 and MQL5 is the number of built-in functions. MQL5 has more built-in functions than MQL4, which makes it easier to develop complex trading strategies. MQL5 also has more advanced functions, such as object-oriented programming (OOP) and multi-threading, which allow for more efficient coding and better optimization of trading strategies.

In terms of compatibility, MQL4 is compatible with MetaTrader 4 (MT4), while MQL5 is compatible with MetaTrader 5 (MT5). MT4 is still widely used by traders, but MT5 is gaining popularity. Therefore, if you plan to develop trading strategies for both platforms, it is important to know both MQL4 and MQL5.

When it comes to performance, MQL5 is faster than MQL4. This is because MQL5 has been optimized for multi-core processors, which means that it can process multiple tasks simultaneously. This makes MQL5 more efficient than MQL4, especially when dealing with large amounts of data.

Which language is better for developing FX trading strategies?

Both MQL4 and MQL5 have their pros and cons, and the choice between the two will depend on your trading style and your level of programming knowledge. If you are a beginner trader, MQL4 is a good choice as it is easier to learn and has a simpler syntax. However, if you are an advanced trader and need to develop complex trading strategies, MQL5 is the better choice as it is more flexible and has more advanced functions.

Another factor to consider is compatibility. If you plan to develop trading strategies for both MT4 and MT5, it is important to know both MQL4 and MQL5.

Finally, performance is also an important factor to consider. If you need to process large amounts of data quickly, MQL5 is the better choice as it has been optimized for multi-core processors.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both MQL4 and MQL5 have their strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between the two will depend on your trading style and programming knowledge. Regardless of which language you choose, it is important to continuously learn and improve your programming skills in order to develop successful trading strategies.

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AlgoPro Academy
AlgoPro Academy

Written by AlgoPro Academy

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