How to program a bot?

Beginner Questions
1

Hey guys, I’m a complete noob as to programming. I have a really awesome short term strategy I have already posted on babypip’s in a different thread that I would like to create a bot from…

Anyhow I saw an add for a 2012 bot competition. I have the strategy I’m sure that has a good chance a nabbing the $80,000 prize, but I only have until July to make the robot that is going to compete.

I have no programing knowledge, but I have a very simple yet refined strategy that works amazingly well. So well I really want to make a bot out of it so that I can try and enter the competition. Can someone please tell me where I can learn how to program a bot?

I’m a complete noob but if given the right direction (what sites to read, what books I might need to buy etc) I’m sure i can meet the deadline. Any help would be greatly appreciated. As previously stated, my strategy is very simple, so I’m not trying to make the most sophisticated bot out there.

However, I will need to know how to make my own indicator because the indicator i use to enter a trade doesn’t exist or hasn’t been made yet (it’s just simple math but it has to be done at a precise point in time to determine if I can enter). After making the indicator I would just have to set the time the bot is allowed to trade as well as the exact length of time each trade will last (all trades only last 20 minutes). I don’t need moving averages or anything special other than a five minute chart with candlesticks. Can someone point me in the right direction? Thanks I appreciate it in advance! Those who help, or even post on this thread will get a free bot assuming I can make it! Thanks again for your help!

2

If there is any discretionary part to your method, prepare for it to be exposed.
A purely mechanized trading algorithm functions quite a bit differently than you think you do executing it.

As far as learning to code, and writing an EA in the next month, that’s a tall order.

Look for the “Coder’s Guru” PDF to start. There’s also a good bunch of articles on the MT4 site as well.

Also, try looking into Java for Dummies, or C++ for Dummies. Just read the first couple of chapters about the syntax, and get a handle on how expressions are formed. MQL4 shares a lot of qualities with both those, but also has the advantage of loads of pre-written functions. Once you can negotiate those, it gets easier.

Where is your strat posted?

3

Hi, I started learning how to program MT4 EAs a couple of months ago… I do know. how to program from earlier, so I new how to create a program etc…

anyway, what I did was just start MTs own book on programing for their metaeditor, and just trying all tge examples til i thought i got it.

then for practise I started modding some of their bots(for example adding stop loss for tgeir macd ea :wink: )

after that I started copying some of their code and writing my own to partially create my own bot.

Now I can write my own bots mostly on my own. :smiley:

my tips is, baby steps… just learn the basic and make sure you know what a code/function do and then modify it :slight_smile: before you know it, you’ll be coding like crazy :slight_smile: Good luck!!

4

Hi, If your bot is quite simple, I can do it for you.

5

Can I get your email or something so we can communicate easier?

6

I posted it on bobmaninc’s thread “shorting the Aussie to extinction”.

I advise you check it out. It’s very easy but hard to explain at the same time. I’m going to make a video explaining how I trade it so I can clear up any misunderstandings that may occur by just reading a text form of it.

Definitely back test it. The results will speak for themselves. If only trading one currency, your looking at a max of 4 trades possible per day traded following the strategy. If you trade 4 currencies, your looking at a max of 16 trades per day totally in average 100+ pips for the allotted time frame traded (only 2 hours Monday through Thursday). I need more people willing to test it so that I can possibly tweak it a little further.

Obviously the goal is to remain profitable every day traded, which if you test it, you will clearly see that’s possible. I want to make the bot not just for the competition, but also for it to trade for me regularly because I don’t always want to get up at 8 a.m everyday. I like to sleep in till 10 most of the time haha.

I don’t care how many pips I make a day (as long as I net gain pips not lose them) I’m sure everyone here would admit 100-200 would be quite an achievement, and equally as desirable. After much testing I believe I found a method that works and has continued to work since it’s original inception. Don’t get me wrong, the strategy works 24/7, but more wins and less losses are generated between the hours specified.

I would much rather share it than sell it. If it consistently makes money every day/week/month/year, what do I need more money for? Greed is an unnecessary evil that plagues the globe.

7

I made a different bot now. I think it’s way netter than any strategy I can make and follow. Problem is it needs to be forward tested. I dont know how long it will remain highly profitable.