How to Compile Old MQ4 Files for New Metatrader 4 Builds
Good day. We continue solving the problems of new builds (574, 577 and higher) of the Metatrader 4 trading terminal. With the new folder layout for forex indicators, advisors and so on, we have figured it out, but another problem has surfaced: due to changes in the MQL4 language, some old MQ4 format files of strategies and robots (source code) do not compile with the newer builds of the MT4 terminal.
And accordingly you cannot use them in trading, since the terminal cannot create an executable file with the EX4 extension. But a solution to this problem does exist.
What is the difference between EX4 and MQ4 files?
Surely, when downloading some indicator, you sometimes found not one indicator file, but two. For example Indicator.mq4 and Indicator.ex4. Why are two files needed?
The thing is that a file with the MQ4 extension is source code. If you have such a file, you can make changes to it, of course if you have knowledge of programming in the MQL language. In order for you to use the indicator (or advisor, or script) directly in practice, that is, attach it to a chart, you need a file with the EX4 extension.
EX4 is an executable file.
You could say that an MQ4 file is flour, and an EX4 file is a loaf of bread. The terminal, like a person, does not want to eat flour, but it will gladly eat bread)
Included with the terminal, we have an analog of an oven: Metaeditor. With the help of the metaeditor, the terminal makes an EX4 file out of an MQ4 file.
And the problem is that the new "oven" (Metaeditor in the latest builds) is not fully compatible with the old "flour" (old MQ4 files). And if you do not have an EX4 file, you will not be able to use some old indicators in the new versions of MT4.
Who is to blame and what should be done?
The solution is simple and logical: use the old "oven", that is, Metaeditor from previous builds. Next comes step-by-step instructions for creating a working EX4 for new terminal builds using the old Metaeditor build.
- Download the archive with build 451 terminal from the link at the end of the post. Unpack it.
- Inside the unpacked archive, find the file Metaeditor.exe. Launch it with a double mouse click.
- In Metaeditor, click File -> Open and open the MQ4 file that you need to compile for the new build.
- Click the Compile button.
- Done! In the folder where the MQ4 file was located, a file with the EX4 extension will now appear. You copy this file into the new build of the terminal and use it for its intended purpose.
I hope this instruction was useful to you, thank you for your attention.
Download the archive with the old MT4 build
Best regards, Pavel
TradeLikeaPro.ru
Good day. We continue solving the problems of new builds (574, 577 and higher) of the Metatrader 4 trading terminal.