MQ L5 Program Packer
This professional-grade solution for MetaTrader 5 helps traders achieve greater efficiency in their daily workflow. This script functions as a utility program designed for specific, one-time execution tasks. It is utilized to perform targeted actions, such as closing all open orders, managing chart objects, or executing custom administrative commands on demand.
How to Setup and Use MQ L5 Program Packer
1. Installation: Move your script file into the MQL/Scripts directory and restart the platform.
2. Execution: Drag the script onto a chart; it will perform a one-time action, such as closing all open orders or clearing chart objects.
3. Editing: Use MetaEditor (F4) to modify code, click "Compile," and verify no errors appear in the terminal before running.
4. Removing: Scripts stop automatically, but you can remove them manually by right-clicking the chart and choosing "Remove Script."
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How are scripts different from EAs? A: Scripts execute a single action and then stop; EAs monitor the market and trade continuously.
Q: Can I assign a hotkey to a script? A: Yes, right-click the script in the Navigator, select "Set Hotkey," and define your preferred keyboard shortcut.
Q: Why did my script stop? A: Scripts are designed to stop immediately after finishing their programmed command; this is normal behavior.
Description & Settings
This script allows you to assemble a zip-file of your MQL5-program with all dependencies automatically.
The dependencies are:
included source files via #include directive (both modes of absolute (<>) and relative ("") references are supported);
icons linked by #property icon directive;
resources (images, sounds, and other types) embedded by #resource directive;
The script is based on a file scanner initially published in the article .
In order the script to work properly, user should make a simple yet important preparation step.
Create the file makelink.bat in the
MQL5/Files
folder with the following command and run it:
The file is provided (bound) with the script but bears txt-extension because bat-files are prohibited in MQL5 resources. You should copy
makelink.txt
to
makelink.bat
manually.
The command will create virtual pseudo-folder "MQL5" (so called file system ) inside real
MQL5/Files
folder. The pseudo-folder is actually a link/jump to the real
MQL5
folder, accessible from the MQL5 sandbox. Do not mix up the real
MQL5
folder and "MQL5" link (it's usually marked with a shortcut overlay on the icon).
The first occurence of "MQL5" in the abovementioned command is the pseudonym. You can choose another one at the expence of non-standard directory structure in the resulting ZIP-files (top-level folder in the ZIPs will have this name). The second occurence of "MQL5" in the command is the name of the real
MQL5
folder - this part should be kept intact. Run the command in the
MQL5/Files
folder.
MQL5 sandbox access from MQL5/Files folder via junction point (symlink)
Important! Please note that the command creates the cyclic reference from subordinate folder
MQL5/Files
to upper level
MQL5
folder. This may be danagerous if you use a software not smart enough to detect the recursion in the path. For example, loosely written backup programs, antiviruses or file managers can hang in an infinite loop and probably damage your operating system. Check your software for compatibility, include
MQL5
into an exceptions list, or remove the link/jump just after you finished the packing task.
The pseudo-folder "MQL5" link is just a special file, you can remove it freely if you don't need it anymore, just make sure you're deleting the link inside
MQL5/Files
folder, not the real MQL5 folder in the terminal data path.
Input parameters
string
VirtualRootFolder
- the name of the pseudo-folder link, "MQL5" by default; you can use another name, for example, "Sources", but then it becomes the top-level folder in the resulting archives, so you'll be unable to unzip sources inplace preserving standard MT hierarchy of folders with MQL5 top-level folder;
string
MainSourceFile
- the pathname of MQL5 program you want to packup, by default it's "Scripts/mql5pack.mq5", which means that the script will pack itself; the pathname is from inside MQL5 folder, don't start it with MQL5 itself; for example, to pack MACD based EA example specify "Experts\Examples\MACD\MACD Sample.mq5"; back-slashes and forward-slashes are supported interchangeably;
string
PackedFile
- the name of resulting archive, by default it's empty, which means that it will have the same name as the program but appended with zip-extension (for example, mql5pack.mq5.zip);
string
ExceptionListFilename
- the name of a file with exception list of folders and files, which should be excluded from the archive regardless to dependencies, by default it contains "mql5pack.txt" with example of standard header folders/files installed along with MetaTrader.
The zip will contain full structure of subfolders and files in your MQL5, which are referenced from your MQL5 program.
The script utilizes the ZIP-library published in the article , but with minor fixes and improvements.
Here is an example of log:
Files marked by '+' are added, marked by '-' are skipped as they are from the exceptions list.
