Chart Event Handling Example for MT4/MT5

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The "test_chartevent.mq4" Expert Advisor demonstrates various chart event types, including keyboard key events, mouse click and move events, and custom events. You can press the 'h' key for help and the 'm' key to enter mouse move event mode.

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The source code is compatible with both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5.


Function Prototypes

bool obj_create()

bool obj_delete()

bool obj_move(int hsens, int vsens)
- Moves an object.

void print_info()
- Prints information about the objects.

int mousemove(int axx, int ayy, string sstate)
- Handles the mouse move event.


Global Variables

int gchartno=0

int gsubwinno=0

string gsobj_name_selected="" - The name of the currently selected object.


Custom Events
Three types of custom events are defined:

#define CMYEVE NT_1 0

#define CMYEVE NT_2 1

#define CMYEVE NT_3_BROADCAST 2


OnTimer() Function
This function creates custom chart events periodically. It randomly generates these three custom events (CMYEVE NT_1, CMYEVE NT_2, and CMYEVE NT_3_BROADCAST). Notably, the CMYEVE NT_3_BROADCAST event is generated for all open chart windows.


Class Example
The "cobjectman" class is created to handle object functionality on a chart. Two instances (variables) of this class are declared: gobjectman1 and gobjectman2. The names of the graphic objects associated with these two instances are "green button" and "yellow button", respectively.


Event Processing
void OnChartEvent():

ChartEvent_KeyDown Events:
- Use the 4 directional keys (arrows) or the 4 directional keys on the digital keypad to move the selected object.
- Press 'h' to display help information in the Expert Log window.
- Press 'i' to display position information for the two objects.
- Press 'm' to activate the mouse_move event.


Custom Events:
- Print information about these events, especially for the CMYEVE NT_3_BROADCAST event.


Object Events:
- ChartEvent_Object_Change, ChartEvent_Object_Drag, ChartEvent_Object_Delete - Print the corresponding object's name.
- ChartEvent_Object_Click - Print the name of the object being clicked and select its name for moving with the direction keys.


Mouse Events:
- ChartEvent_Click - Print the clicked bar's information, including prices (open, close) and the bar time.
- ChartEvent_Mouse_Move (see: chart_event_mouse_move) - Print information about the covered interval, such as the number of bars and price variation.


Demonstration Tests

1. Click on one of the two objects (buttons) to select it, then use the arrow keys to move the selected object.

2. Click on a graphic bar to see its information in the log tab (Messages).

3. Press the 'm' key to enter mouse_move event mode. Press Ctrl+F to show the crosshair, then perform a drag-and-drop operation. If you do not see the log messages, please adjust the input parameter "iloglevel".

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#property copyright "robotfx"
#property link "https://robotfx.org"
#property version   "1.00"
#ifdef __mql4__
#property strict
#endif
input int iloglevel=0;   // loglevel: 0: no log message, 1: a little, 2: more message
bool obj_create();
bool obj_delete();
bool obj_move(int hsens,int vsens);

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