Script to Map Market Watch Symbols Based on Similarity – script MetaTrader 5

This script is a reference solution designed to help developers and MetaTrader 5 users solve a common problem: the mismatch between configured symbol names and the actual names provided by brokers.

As a developer, I have faced this challenge when working on configurable Expert Advisors (EAs), especially those that handle multi-symbol strategies. It is common for users to not adjust symbol names according to their broker’s conventions, which causes EAs to malfunction. For example, if the EA configuration specifies “EURUSD,” but the broker uses “EURUSD.i” or “EURUSD.m,” the EA will not find the correct symbol and will fail to operate.

This code uses the Levenshtein distance algorithm to identify the most similar symbol to the one specified by the user among all those available in the Market Watch window.

Although I am not an expert, this solution has proven effective in my personal experience and can be a useful tool for other developers.

Main Applications and Uses:

• Integration into configurable EAs: This script is intended as a reference for integration into EAs or scripts that need to automatically adapt to the symbol names used by brokers.
• Adaptability for custom broker symbols: If a broker uses specific symbol names, this approach helps map them correctly and avoid configuration errors.
• Configuration validation: It can be used as a validation tool during development and testing phases to ensure that EAs are robust and adaptable.
• Education and learning: For those learning MQL5, this code demonstrates how to work with arrays, strings, and dynamic functions like calculating string distances.

Important Warning:

This code is based on my personal experience and is a solution that has worked for my projects. However:

• I am not an expert in MQL5, and this solution may not be the most efficient or ideal for all cases.
• There might be more advanced or specific approaches depending on the needs of each user or project.

I encourage users and developers to experiment with the code, adapt it to their own contexts, and, if necessary, explore other alternatives that might be more suitable.

Practical Integration Example:

Suppose you have developed an EA that operates with “EURUSD.” In the user’s environment, the broker has this symbol as “EURUSD.i.” By integrating this code into the EA:

• The user can enter “EURUSD” as the base configuration.
• The code will automatically search Market Watch and map the correct symbol (“EURUSD.i”).
• The EA will operate seamlessly, eliminating the need for precise manual configurations.

Conclusion:

This script is not only useful for ensuring the functionality of EAs in different environments but also serves as a starting point for developing more advanced solutions.

While there are other ways to address this issue, I hope this implementation proves to be a valuable tool for other developers and MetaTrader 5 users.