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Vanilla MT4

  • #1
  • First Post: Edited Aug 11, 2018 5:57pm Aug 6, 2018 6:48am | Edited Aug 11, 2018 5:57pm
The easy way to install and sync multiple MT4 terminals for use with multiple monitors, brokers, and back-testing agents.

VERSION 0.0.2 UP NOW! https://goo.gl/8QSbGq

Changelog - v0.0.2

 

  1. Updated terminal to build 1126 and metaeditor to build 1861 (June '18 update)
  2. Changed name of setup.exe to MT-Tools.exe
  3. Launchers in terminal directories are now prefixed with the machine name for launching on multiple machines from one synced cloud-drive
  4. A "LAUNCH-ALL-TERMINALS" file is now included in the main MT4 parent directory to launch all terminals without needing directly invoke the script and selecting the option.
  5. Bug fixes

Download - https://goo.gl/8QSbGq
Source - https://goo.gl/7RErL3

What it is NOT:

  1. Different / hacked / modified terminal

    1. The terminal.exe MD5 is the same from the MetaQuotes installer


  2. Broker Branded

What it DOES/IS:[list][*] OPEN-SOURCE[*] Installs a Plain MT4 without broker affiliations[*] Intended for all terminals to be run in "portable mode"

  1. All MQL files are now in the same path as the terminal
  2. The MT4 parent directory can be easily relocated to other machines/locations

    1. Drag and drop
    2. Run setup.exe every time the parent is moved!

[*] Clones the main terminal in the Parent directory[list][*] Run multiple terminals at once which all use the same history, MQL programs, and templates

  1. Multi-screen (same or different broker)
  2. Multi-broker
  3. Multi-backtesting

[*] Symlinked folders to the MAIN "MT4" directory. Change anything in these folders and the same changes are synced across all terminals in the directory.

  1. history
  2. MQL4
  3. templates
  4. Sounds

  1. Launches all terminals with one command (feature included in setup.exe)
  2. Syncs MQL programs, templates, chart history across all clones in directory
  3. Automatically fixes broken "portable" launchers and directory Symlinks


INSTRUCTIONS:

SETUP:

  1. Download the zip package https://goo.gl/Fxr1Pc
  2. Create a directory anywhere on any storage device accessible by Windows.

    1. C:
    2. Thumbdrive
    3. Cloud-synced folder (e.g. Dropbox)

  3. Unzip package to new directory
  4. Run setup.exe
  5. Patiently wait for the terminal to finish the first launch
  6. Prepare this terminal by logging in to all of your broker accounts. DO THIS BEFORE CLONING!
  7. Replace the following folders in the new installation to pick up where you left off on your old MT4 installation

    1. MQL4
    2. templates
    3. Sounds (only if you have changed the .wav files)

CLONING:

  1. Run setup.exe and select the cloning option
  2. It will ask you to elevate privileges for applying Symlinks
  3. Input the (SUM) number of clones you want in the directory

LAUNCHING TERMINALS:

  1. !!!IMPORTANT - Always use the launcher (shortcut) to launch terminals. One will be automatically added to your desktop for the main terminal. All clones need to be launched from the shortcut which is included in its directory.
  2. You can also run setup.exe and select the option to launch all terminals in the directory automatically.

  • #2
  • Aug 6, 2018 8:08am Aug 6, 2018 8:08am
Quoting Nicholishen
I frequently see the requests for: vanilla MT4 (no specific broker affiliation) how to install/run from portable mode. Have terminal and MQL files in the same folder which can be transferred easily from machine to machine terminal cloning. Run multiple instances of terminal on same or different brokers Run concurrent back-tests across multiple terminal processes Symlink MQL and History folders Keep MQL folder "synced" Only one "shared" history folder for all terminal instances Is anyone interested in a Vanilla MT4 zip package with a setup script...
Symlink works with MT4? Interesting...
Try don't lose pants never...
  • #3
  • Aug 6, 2018 1:45pm Aug 6, 2018 1:45pm
Quoting braintheboss
{quote} Symlink works with MT4? Interesting...
You can't Symlink the terminal.exe, but you can Symlink:

  1. history
  2. MQL4
  3. templates

You wouldn't want to symlink the other folders in the case that you want different configs.

  • #4
  • Aug 6, 2018 4:17pm Aug 6, 2018 4:17pm
Quoting Nicholishen
{quote} You can't Symlink the terminal.exe, but you can Symlink: history MQL4 templates You wouldn't want to symlink the other folders in the case that you want different configs.
Precisely the 3 folders needed for avoid have copy everything when you update tools or history. Thanks for the tip
Try don't lose pants never...
  • #5
  • Aug 6, 2018 4:39pm Aug 6, 2018 4:39pm
Version 0.0.1 is out now!!!

See updated OP for download link and instructions.
  • #6
  • Aug 6, 2018 4:40pm Aug 6, 2018 4:40pm
Quoting braintheboss
{quote} Precisely the 3 folders needed for avoid have copy everything when you update tools or history. Thanks for the tip
I've written a program to automate it all. Check it out (in the OP) and let me know what you think.
  • #7
  • Aug 7, 2018 5:00am Aug 7, 2018 5:00am
Thanks for this, very much appreciated!!!
  • #8
  • Aug 7, 2018 5:53am Aug 7, 2018 5:53am
Excellent - much appreciated!

Thanks
Don't limit yourself!!
  • #9
  • Aug 7, 2018 9:14am Aug 7, 2018 9:14am
Has anyone actually used this yet? How did it work? Any suggestions for future upgrades?

I can think of one major feature that's missing, and you guys let me know if it would be useful....

Let's say you have a VPS and you keep your terminals/files synced to your dev machine using a cloud-service like dropbox. Now let's say you need to launch terminals on both machines. The problem is that you would need to run setup.exe and run the "fix" on each machine in order to launch OR you'd need to manually create shortcuts invoking the /portable arg on each machine.

What if instead the launcher was prefixed with the machine name? Each directory would contain one or more launchers that you would launch by selecting the correct one for the machine you're using. For example the new directory structure might look something like...
Inserted Code
...
terminal.exe
MyLaptop-LAUNCH-CLONE-1.lnk
VPS-LAUNCH-CLONE-1.lnk
  • #10
  • Aug 7, 2018 3:27pm Aug 7, 2018 3:27pm
Quoting Nicholishen
Has anyone actually used this yet? How did it work? Any suggestions for future upgrades? I can think of one major feature that's missing, and you guys let me know if it would be useful.... Let's say you have a VPS and you keep your terminals/files synced to your dev machine using a cloud-service like dropbox. Now let's say you need to launch terminals on both machines. The problem is that you would need to run setup.exe and run the "fix" on each machine in order to launch OR you'd need to manually create shortcuts invoking the /portable arg on each...
You are indeed the ROCKSTAR !!!! I will definitely try this out as I have been looking for a similar solution... now, please tell me if this is truly independent of broker updates. By this, I mean, I do NOT want the broker to automatically apply their updates to my terminal. I want complete control of when I choose to apply the updates/builds. If I choose not to, that should be fine as well. I hate automatic updates on weekends. I want a fixed, stable, consistent environment that I can use for the next 20+ yrs !

Also / I want the setup to remain the same if I chose to go with another broker.... possible?
Staying in my lane...
  • #11
  • Aug 7, 2018 7:01pm Aug 7, 2018 7:01pm
Quoting VEEFX
{quote} You are indeed the ROCKSTAR !!!! I will definitely try this out as I have been looking for a similar solution... now, please tell me if this is truly independent of broker updates. By this, I mean, I do NOT want the broker to automatically apply their updates to my terminal. I want complete control of when I choose to apply the updates/builds. If I choose not to, that should be fine as well. I hate automatic updates on weekends. I want a fixed, stable, consistent environment that I can use for the next 20+ yrs ! Also / I want the setup to...
Thanks for the kind words. And no, a broker cannot update your terminal, however, I can't promise that Metaquotes won't because this is afterall their software and all I have done is provide a clever way to install and run it differently. If it makes you feel any better I logged into the Metaquotes demo and was notified that an update was available (new beta I think) but it wouldn't update. IIRC, MT5 will update the terminal when it's in portable mode so it's just going to be one of those things to keep an eye on. In the end I know the folder it downloads the updates to for staging so in the worst case I suppose you could run a watchdog script to kill anything in that folder.
  • #12
  • Aug 8, 2018 8:42am Aug 8, 2018 8:42am
Quoting Nicholishen
{quote} Thanks for the kind words. And no, a broker cannot update your terminal, however, I can't promise that Metaquotes won't because this is afterall their software and all I have done is provide a clever way to install and run it differently. If it makes you feel any better I logged into the Metaquotes demo and was notified that an update was available (new beta I think) but it wouldn't update. IIRC, MT5 will update the terminal when it's in portable mode so it's just going to be one of those things to keep an eye on. In the end I know the folder...
Thanks. I will definitely try it out but only at month end as I run a handful of instances in parallel. What I am really looking for is to freeze my MT4 EA implementation within the MT4 client terminal for the next 20 yr (even after mt4 support is discontinued by metaquotes). I got this idea from this post which is a fascinating broker independent solution free from any intervention or manipulations..... as I do plan to go the regulated exchanges route and away from spot retail FX brokerage. My EA is designed to be market neutral and universal so it will work on any instrument that I can seek the price feed from (with some minor tweeks). Doable? For me to go API route will mean redesigning my EA completely which will be a super pain.

Could I also seek you advice on how to handle very large data sets in MQ4? I have over 150 parameters per trade setup that I save in real time (for future use in machine learning/training) and dealing with files is becoming ridiculously slow.
Staying in my lane...
  • #13
  • Aug 8, 2018 12:12pm Aug 8, 2018 12:12pm
Quoting VEEFX
{quote} Thanks. I will definitely try it out but only at month end as I run a handful of instances in parallel. What I am really looking for is to freeze my MT4 EA implementation within the MT4 client terminal for the next 20 yr (even after mt4 support is discontinued by metaquotes). I got this idea from this post which is a fascinating broker independent solution free from any intervention or manipulations..... as I do plan to go the regulated exchanges route and away...
No offense intended, but it sounds to me like you have a champagne taste on a beer budget. Nothing that you're working on (as you describe it) belongs in the realm of a proprietary retail platform running on a proprietary retail OS. Imma lay it down straight for ya, you won't get anything close to 20 years of stability with MT4. As long as I can remember it's rare to get a full year without Windows updating something that breaks MT4. MT4 is already EOL and MQ is only updating it for LTS to appease its legacy brokers. Believe it or not if you really needed to stay with MQ software for some reason then it'd be best to switch to MT5, but even then you won't accomplish your goal.

In order to get what you want you need to commit to using the FIX protocol with program developed to run on a *nix OS with long-term-support. That's the only way.
  • #14
  • Aug 8, 2018 2:53pm Aug 8, 2018 2:53pm
Quoting Nicholishen
{quote} No offense intended, but it sounds to me like you have a champagne taste on a beer budget. Nothing that you're working on (as you describe it) belongs in the realm of a proprietary retail platform running on a proprietary retail OS. Imma lay it down straight for ya, you won't get anything close to 20 years of stability with MT4. As long as I can remember it's rare to get a full year without Windows updating something that breaks MT4. MT4 is already EOL and MQ is only updating it for LTS to appease its legacy brokers. Believe it or not if...
100% agree and I am aware of that. I will just have to learn another new language and go the API route. I might have a beer budget now but after 3 yrs of proven succeed, I will be willing to throw whatever it takes and start my own hedge fund (with my own capital at risk fur shur). I live in the silicon valley so raising capital won't be a problem :-)

How would you advise next steps for me? What language to learn which has big data and ML/DL capabilities? I am currently in execution mode this year onwards and have some free time to start building the next level of solution/infrastructure. One thing I won't do is put my solution on a 3rd party server. It has to run from my garage until I have the legal structure in place... even then I will own the end to end infrastructure (including the server admins)... I have post graduate degree in comp. sc. but went the mgmt route 15 yrs ago which has turned me into a rusty ol' dawg but I am getting my bearings :-
Staying in my lane...
  • #15
  • Aug 8, 2018 8:53pm Aug 8, 2018 8:53pm
Quoting VEEFX
{quote} 100% agree and I am aware of that. I will just have to learn another new language and go the API route. I might have a beer budget now but after 3 yrs of proven succeed, I will be willing to throw whatever it takes and start my own hedge fund (with my own capital at risk fur shur). I live in the silicon valley so raising capital won't be a problem :-) How would you advise next steps for me? What language to learn which has big data and ML/DL capabilities? I am currently in execution mode this year onwards and have some free time to start...
Python is the most popular language for ML and algo-trading. You'll want to spend some time around www.reddit.com/r/algotrading
  • #16
  • Aug 9, 2018 3:37pm Aug 9, 2018 3:37pm
Where have you been all of my life? Thanks!
  • #17
  • Aug 10, 2018 6:46am Aug 10, 2018 6:46am
Has anyone actually used it yet? lol
  • #18
  • Edited 1:31pm Aug 10, 2018 1:16pm | Edited 1:31pm
Quoting Nicholishen
Has anyone actually used it yet? lol
I can only try it out at monthend. I also deal with one more issue across terminals. I compile my EA several times a day as I do not have external parameters (by design). in current state, I have the metaediter opened for each terminal instance to make 4-5 times same code edits and then compile for EA to go into effect. Is there a way to make such code changes only once and have it go into effect to all terminals without restarting the terminals? I play with over 350 such variables or parameters that I control manually based on the state of my portfolio or market condition for things I could not automate or did not want to automate (to prevent theft etc)
Staying in my lane...
  • #19
  • Aug 10, 2018 6:12pm Aug 10, 2018 6:12pm
Quoting VEEFX
{quote} I can only try it out at monthend. I also deal with one more issue across terminals. I compile my EA several times a day as I do not have external parameters (by design). in current state, I have the metaediter opened for each terminal instance to make 4-5 times same code edits and then compile for EA to go into effect. Is there a way to make such code changes only once and have it go into effect to all terminals without restarting the terminals? I play with over 350 such variables or parameters that I control manually based on the state...
Anything can be done. You can easily write a python script to compile by command-line, but I can assure you that is not the answer. You should never need to re-compile your EA unless you are making hard changes to your logic, and hiding input params does nothing to improve security. Based on your explanation your EA should be reading from a csv file which you can keep open in excel to change the params on the fly.

Also, I've seen in wireshark that both metaeditor and terminal call to several different APIs hosted on mql5.com, and it's entirely possible that your code could be one of those encrypted payloads on its way off your "private" network/machine. Once again, open-source is the only way to secure your algo.
  • #20
  • Aug 10, 2018 8:21pm Aug 10, 2018 8:21pm
Quoting Nicholishen
Has anyone actually used it yet? lol
Worked great for me. created a bunch of clones. The only thing that didn't work is that my money didn't clone. can you fix that?
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