Metatrader 5, the new version of the popular trading software will be released this fall. It is the successor of Metatrader 4 that is used by more than 300 brokers all over the world. The program is in development for more than 4 years, and the code for it is rewritten from scratch. Metatrader 5 will future high performance and outstanding working speed, over 70 analytical tools and new 21 timeframes, Depth of Market (DOM) feature, advanced built-in reports on all trading activities and much improved strategy tester for indicators and expert advisors.
One of the big improvements of Metatrader 5 is the ability to process traders Foreign Currency Transactions in various financial markets, including futures, options and stock markets. MetaTrader 5 Terminal supports also 4 types of operation execution: Market, Request, Instant and Exchange. In addition to Market Watch window, a so-called “Forex Glass” tool is added, which is necessary for successful work in the stock markets. With all new improvements and possibilities it is clear that MetaTrader 5 is more than just an MT4 upgrade.
MetaTrader 5 has a new integrated development environment called MQL5 which includes MetaEditor 5, the MQL5 programming language and MetaTrader 5 Strategy Tester. It is responsible for the development and use of Expert Advisors, custom indicators and scripts. Unfortunately the MQL4 and MQL5 languages are not compatible. Because of that, every custom indicator and EA must be rewritten to work with Metatrader 5. The platform itself will also be not backward compatible with MT4 and MQL4, however, MetaQuotes can release a tool which converts the MQL4 source code to MQL5 or allows MQL4 executables to run in MT5 is some virtual environment.
The MQL5 language will have much faster execution speed in comparison with MQL4 (it approaches C++ in terms of this parameter), and will allow to use more complex experts and to process large amounts of the information. As compared to MQL4, the new language boasts up to 20 times faster execution speed. MQL5 includes new data types, a new structure, classes and, in this respect, the object-oriented programming which makes the development of EAs quicker, easier and more flexible, especially for autotrader developers. Because the language is more object-oriented, it will be also easier to learn. Another feature of MQL5 development environment is the aadvanced built-in debugger for testing and error finding and the intellisense system which speeds up the development process.
The MetaTrader 5 Strategy Tester is a very powerful development tool and enables a developer to test a newly programmed indicator, expert advisor or script on historical data before using it in real trading. The new strategy tester will have advanced reporting options and possibilities to compare the trading results of different EA’s which each other. The tester will also better use the power of multi core processors to speed up the testing process.
Before Metatrader 5 will be released, a public beta testing is planned. It will begin 12 October. For more information, read: Metatrader 5 Public Beta