How To Open Ex4 File In Metaeditor

File system

The client terminal recognizes program types past their location in subordinate directories.

All application programs are full-bodied in the directory ClientTerminal_folder\experts . EAs, scripts, and custom indicators that yous are going to use in your practical work should exist located in corresponding directories, as shown in the Effigy 24 following. EAs are located correct in the directory ClientTerminal_folder\experts . Due south cripts and indicators are in subdirectories ClientTerminal_folder\experts\scripts and ClientTerminal_folder \experts\indicators , respectively.

Figure 24 Directory for storing files, created by a user.

Y'all tin can create other directories for storing some files. However, you lot cannot use programs located there.

File types

In MQL4, there are three types of files that carry a program code: mq4, ex4, and mqh.

Files of mq4 type represent a plan source lawmaking. Files of this blazon contain source texts of all types of programs (EAs, scripts, indicators). For the creation of program codes, MetaEditor is used. When a code is fully or partially created, it can exist saved and subsequently opened for modification. Files of mq4 type cannot be used for execution in the client concluding. A program must be compiled earlier y'all can use it. As a result of a source code compilation, a file of the aforementioned name with the extension ex4 is created.

A file of ex4 type is a compiled plan ready for practical use in the client terminal. Files of this type cannot exist edited. If a plan needs to be modified, this should be done in its source code (a file of mq4 type); it should be edited and then compiled again. The ex4 file name does not point to the program blazon—whether it is a script, an EA, or an indicator. Files with ex4 extension can be used as library files.

Files of mqh blazon are include files. It is a source text of ofttimes used blocks of custom programs. Such files can be included into source texts of EAs, scripts, and indicators at the stage of compilation. Usually include files contain the description of imported functions (for case, see files stdlib.mqh or WinUser32.mqh) or the description of common constants and variables (stderror.mqh or WinUser.mqh). As a rule, files of mqh blazon are stored in the directory ClientTerminal_folder\experts\include .

Include files are called so considering they are usually "included" at the stage of compilation to the main source file using the #include directive. Despite the fact that files of mqh type tin contain a program source code and tin be compiled by MetaEditor, they are not independent and cocky-contained, that is they practise not require compilation for getting executable files of ex4 type. As include files, one can employ mq4 files that should be stored in ClientTerminal_folder\experts\include .

Sections "EAs," "Custom indicators," and "Scripts" of the customer terminal navigator will testify just the names of files that have the extension ex4 and are located in the respective folder. Files compiled in older versions of MetaEditor cannot be started and are displayed in a gray colour.

In that location are other types of files that do not make a complete programme, only are used in the cosmos of application programs. For example, a program can exist created out of several carve up files or using a library created earlier. You can create libraries of custom functions intended for storing frequently used blocks of user programs. Information technology is recommended to store libraries in the directory ClientTerminal_folder\experts\libraries . Files of mq4 and ex4 tin exist used as library files. Libraries cannot kickoff by themselves. Using include files is more preferable than using libraries because of boosted consumption of reckoner resources at library function calls.

In the first part of the book "Programming in MQL4," nosotros analyze mq4 files of source texts and compiled ex4 files.

Source: https://book.mql4.com/metaeditor/files

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