MQL4/5 Code Corner

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//|                                               StartScriptBox.mq4 |
//|               For educational purpose only, use on your own risk |
//|                             Coded by Georgebaker aka FXSniperGuy |
//|                                                 Date: 16.03.2023 |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
#import "rsfExpander.dll"
   bool LoadMqlProgramW(int hChart, int programType, string programName);
#import
#property copyright "Copyright 2022, MetaQuotes Software Corp."
#property link      "https://www.mql5.com"
#property version   "1.00"
#property strict
#property indicator_chart_window
 
// MQL program types
#define PROGRAMTYPE_INDICATOR   1
#define PROGRAMTYPE_EXPERT      2
#define PROGRAMTYPE_SCRIPT      4
 
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Custom indicator initialization function                         |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
int OnInit()
  {
//--- indicator buffers mapping
   int  hChart = WindowHandle(Symbol(), NULL);
   bool result = LoadMqlProgramW(hChart, PROGRAMTYPE_SCRIPT, "Box1");
   Print("result=", result);  
//---
   return(INIT_SUCCEEDED);
  }
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Custom indicator iteration function                              |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
int OnCalculate(const int rates_total,
                const int prev_calculated,
                const datetime &time[],
                const double &open[],
                const double &high[],
                const double &low[],
                const double &close[],
                const long &tick_volume[],
                const long &volume[],
                const int &spread[])
  {
//---
//--- return value of prev_calculated for next call
   return(rates_total);
  }
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+

Quoting Georgebaker

Disliked

How to run a script from an indicator This example is using a DLL file, so if you don't like that, this example is not for you (I have looked for other ways to do it but could not find something that worked, will still search for it though) From this link below (Go to post 7) unzip the zip file and find the DLL file. Copy that DLL file into your library in the mq4 folder. https://www.forexfactory.com/thread/...from-indicator //+------------------------------------------------------------------+...

Ignored

Quoting pips4life

Disliked

{quote} I haven't yet had the need for a script to run an Indicator/EA or another script, so I don't have actual code examples I wrote or used. In your post, you referenced another thread on the topic that looks like it has a lot of great discussion to learn from, but like others I'm not thrilled to need a custom dll file (though perhaps this source is on GibHub or in the thread? I didn't dive deeper). We all have Google, and maybe you already found these threads, but here are two I noticed that use the user32.dll, instead of the custom dll. See...

Ignored

#import "user32.dll"
   int  RegisterWindowMessageW(string lpString);
   int  FindWindowW(string lpClassName, string lpWindowName);
   int  GetDlgItem(int hDlg, int nIdDlgItem);
   int  SetActiveWindow(int hWnd);
   bool PostMessageA(int hWnd, int msg, int wParam, uchar &lParam[]);
   bool PostMessageW(int hWnd, int msg, int wParam, int lParam);
#import
#define MAX_PATH                                      260              // e.g. the max. path on drive D is "D:\some-256-chars-path-string<NUL>"
#define MT4_LOAD_CUSTOM_INDICATOR           15
#define IDC_CUSTOM_INDICATOR_OK            1                // control id of "Ok" button in "Custom Indicator" dialog
 
#define BM_CLICK                                     0x00F5
uchar buffer[MAX_PATH];
void StartCustomIndicator(int hWnd, string indicatorName, bool autoCloseDlg = true) {
   StringToCharArray(indicatorName, buffer);
 
   int WM_MT4 = RegisterWindowMessageW("MetaTrader4_Internal_Message");
   PostMessageA(hWnd, WM_MT4, MT4_LOAD_CUSTOM_INDICATOR, buffer);
 
   if (autoCloseDlg) {
      string className, title = "Custom Indicator - "+ indicatorName;
      int i = 0;
      while (i < 5) {
         Sleep(10);
         int hWndDlg = FindWindowW(className, title);
         if (hWndDlg != 0) {
            int hWndOk = GetDlgItem(hWndDlg, IDC_CUSTOM_INDICATOR_OK);
            if (hWndOk != 0) {
               SetActiveWindow(hWndDlg);
               PostMessageW(hWndOk, BM_CLICK, 0, 0);
            }
 
            else Print("Error: \"OK\" button not found");
            break;
         }
         i++;
         if (i >= 5) Print("Error: Dialog \""+ title +"\" not found");
      }
   }
}
 
int OnInit()
  {
//---
   int hWnd=WindowHandle(Symbol(),0);
   StartCustomIndicator(hWnd,"Stochastic");   // For example STO
//---
   return(INIT_SUCCEEDED);
  }

/*
#property "pragmas" help MQL4-compiler decide about setup of internal handlers
          so this part of code "speaks" to MetaLang.exe at compile-time*/
#property indicator_buffers      3             // .DEF N-Buffs
#property indicator_color1       White         // .SET Buf[0].color
#property indicator_color2       SeaGreen      // .SET Buf[1].color
#property indicator_color3       FireBrick     // .SET Buf[2].color
#property indicator_width1       1             // .SET Buf[0].width
#property indicator_width2       2             // .SET Buf[1].width
#property indicator_width3       2             // .SET Buf[2].width
         double   buffer_line_up[],            // .DEF Arrays as dynamic ...[]
                  buffer_line_dn[],            //      with human-readable-names
                  buffer_line_ax[];            //      and MT4 will take care
int   init()   {
      SetIndexBuffer(   0, buffer_line_ax );   // .ASSOC IndexBuffer.0<-array[]
      SetIndexLabel(    0, "SuperTrend"     );
      SetIndexBuffer(   1, buffer_line_up   ); // .ASSOC IndexBuffer.0<-array[]
      SetIndexLabel(    1, "Up Trend"       );
      SetIndexStyle(    1, DRAW_LINE,
                           STYLE_SOLID,
                           1 + int( ATR_Multiplier / 5 ),
                           SeaGreen
                           );
      SetIndexBuffer(   2, buffer_line_dn );   // .ASSOC IndexBuffer.0<-array[]
      SetIndexLabel(    2, "Down Trend"     );
      SetIndexStyle(    2, DRAW_LINE,
                           STYLE_SOLID,
                           1 + int( ATR_Multiplier / 5 ),
                           FireBrick
                           );
      SetIndexDrawBegin(0, ATR_Period );       // .DEF initial depth of Buffer before 1st GUI output
      IndicatorShortName( "xxxx[" + ATR_Period + "," + ATR_Multiplier + "]" );
      IndicatorDigits( MarketInfo( Symbol(), MODE_DIGITS ) );
      
}