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Version: 2.0

Completed

At the end of each strategy test, the Expert Advisor Builder produces a SET file. This file includes all the input parameters that outline the trading module. The SET files and any other output data are saved in an output folder designated by the user.

In this chosen output folder, an automatic versioning process is implemented. This implies that before each test run, the existing output data is duplicated into a subfolder labeled with the version number. For example, before test run number 2 starts, the previous data is copied into the subfolder V1. Before the initiation of test run number 3, the earlier data is duplicated into the subfolder V2, and so on. In essence, test results are always preserved and never overwritten. This ensures that you can keep track of the modifications made throughout the development process.

The user manual elucidates the strategy tester input parameters that allow you to alter the output folders. Please consult it to gain a better understanding of this feature.

Concept diagram​

The concept diagram provided below depicts the function block associated with this page.

File Output, Concept diagram, Completed.png

Folder path and data organization​

The Expert Advisor Builder saves its output in a designated tester folder. This folder can be conveniently accessed through the Windows start menu or via a shortcut set up on your Windows desktop. Both options are illustrated below.

File Output, Completed, Application folder on desktop and start menu.png

Alternatively, you can access the Completed output folder by entering the following line into your Windows file explorer path.

%AppData%\MetaQuotes\Terminal\Common\Files\FEA Trading Tester Data\Expert Advisor Builder 2.0\Completed

As you navigate the file structure, you'll encounter the Completed folder, which houses two subfolders. The Optimization folder is designated for storing all test results and SET files when the Expert Advisor Builder is operated in the optimization mode. The Single folder, on the other hand, is utilized for standard test runs. The entire directory tree, commencing with the tester folder, is illustrated below.

File Output, Completed, Folder path and data organization.png

This partitioning was established to reduce the storage requirements during optimization tests. In both cases, you'll observe that each trading module utilizes a folder, usually starting with EAM_I followed by a numerical value. This number can be selected using an input parameter.

Upon exploring the subfolder named Single/EAM_Ix, you can locate the SET file from the most recent test run. If you wish to run this file on a live chart, copy it and paste it into the Custom Expert Advisor Configuration input folder. The entire procedure is outlined here. In addition to the SET file, you can also discover the folder structure Single/EAM_Ix/<Symbol name>/<Timeframe>/<Version>.

Based on this structure, the Expert Advisor Builder versions the previously executed trading strategies. In the versioned folder, you can find the same input as in the top-level tester folder for the Expert Advisor Builder. The journal, screenshot, statistic files, the actual SET file, and a screenshot of the in-chart inspector are stored here. The arrangement will appear as shown in the subsequent image.

File Output, Completed, Single runs.png

During an optimization test run, the MetaTrader may perform hundreds of individual tests, each with minor variations. Consequently, when the Expert Advisor Builder operates in optimization mode, it only produces a table in text format containing the test results and the SET file with the trading module settings. This means that journal creation or statistics are not accessible in optimization mode. The output folder is also specified by a numerical input parameter that names the output folders appropriately.

As depicted in the data structure below, the organization of the output folders is similar to that of a single test run. By navigating the path Optimization/EAM_Ix/<Symbol name>/<Timeframe>/RUN_x, you can locate the SET files for each optimization test run and the summary table.

File Output, Completed, Optimization runs.png

The name of each SET file is appended with the number of the optimization test run. If you wish to locate the corresponding entry in the summary table OptimizationResults, you can use the appended O1, O2, On to find the results line. To access the complete data of an optimization test, please load the SET file into your strategy tester input window and perform a single test run.