Skype Control Library – library MetaTrader 5

In the automatic trading Skype can be used for sending text messages with the necessary information. In this case work with Skype is realized via library Skype4COM, i.e. an ActiveX component that represents access to program management.

At present time Skype4COM.dll is distributed with skype, by default it is located in the following folder:

For an operating system x86:

• c:\Program Files\Common Files\Skype\Skype4COM.dll
  

For an operating system x64:

• c:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Skype\Skype4COM.dll
  

This SkypeMQL.dll library file must be installed in the folder: [terminal directory]\MQL5\Libraries

The project supports only 32-bit version of MetaTrader 4/5.

 

1. Sending instant messages

int SkypeSendInstantMessageW(string skype_name,string message,int status);
int SkypeSendInstantMessageA(string skype_name,string message,int status);// for MetaTrader 4

There are several tests in a function before sending instant message:

• The user name cannot be empty or begin with a number.
• The user with the specified name must be in the contact list.
  
• The message cannot be an empty string.
• The network status of the recipient must coincide with the specified value.
  

The list of the network status constants:

constant name	value	description
STATUS_OFFLINE	1	Offline
STATUS_ONLINE	2	Online
STATUS_AWAY	4	Out of place
STATUS_DONT_DISTURB	16	Do not disturb

To set several allowed statuses simultaneously bit-by-bit addition of constants is used, for example: STATUS_ONLINE | STATUS_AWAY.

The maximum length of an instant message is ~8000 ANSI symbols, ~4000 Unicode symbols.

The example of a code:

string InpSkypeName     =  "echo123";        // Skype name
string InpTextMessage   =  "Hello :)";       // Text message

string msg;
ENUM_SKYPE_ERROR err=(ENUM_SKYPE_ERROR)SkypeSendInstantMessageW(InpSkypeName,InpTextMessage,STATUS_ONLINE|STATUS_AWAY);

if(err==ERROR_NO_ERRORS) msg=StringFormat("Sent IM to %s, %s",InpSkypeName,InpTextMessage);
else msg=StringFormat("Error sending IM to %s, error: %s",InpSkypeName,EnumToString(err));

Print(msg);

 

2. Sending SMS messages

The service to send SMS messages is fee-paid at the moment!

int SkypeSendSmsMessageW(string phone_number, string message);
int SkypeSendSmsMessageA(string phone_number, string message);// for MetaTrader 4

There are several tests before sending SMS message:

• The telephone number must be specified in the international format: + [country code] [city or network code] [telephone number]
• The length of the string which contains the telephone number must be at least 7 symbols and start with a ‘+’ sign
• Text message must not be an empty string
  

Sending SMS to a non existing number is not an error. The cost for this operation will be charged, but returned after a short time, as the actual message wasn’t delivered.

The SMS message is limited to 116 ANSI symbols, 58 Unicode symbols.

The example of a code:

input string InpPhoneNumber   =  "+380123456789";  // Phone number
input string InpTextMessage   =  "Hello :)";       // Text message

string msg;
ENUM_SKYPE_ERROR err==(ENUM_SKYPE_ERROR) SkypeSendSmsMessageW(InpPhoneNumber,InpTextMessage);

if(err==ERROR_NO_ERRORS) msg=StringFormat("Sent SMS to %s, %s",InpPhoneNumber,InpTextMessage);
else msg=StringFormat("Error sending SMS to %s, error: %s",InpPhoneNumber,EnumToString(err));

Print(msg);

3. Description of the return values

Both functions return an integer value which can be analyzed, if necessary.

constant name	value	description
ERROR_UNKNOWN	-1	Unknown error
ERROR_NO_ERRORS	0	Successful execution
ERROR_ATTACH	1	Failed to connect to Skype
ERROR_AUTHORIZED	2	There is no specified user in the contact list
ERROR_STATUS	3	Invalid user status
ERROR_TIMEOUTS	4	Timed out
ERROR_RUNNING	5	Skype is not loaded to memory
ERROR_SENDING	6	Sending error
ERROR_VALUE	7	Transferred parameters error
ERROR_ACCESS	8	Access to Skype is denied
ERROR_SKYPE4COM	9	for x86: Skype4COM.dll is not registered for x64: COM-object creation error

 

4. The first launch

At first connection MetaTrader 5 to Skype a pop up window appears which enables program management access.

After confirming access to Skype, the requesting process enters to the list stored in the program settings: Tools -> Options -> Advanced -> Manage other programs’ access to Skype.

 

5. Runtime errors

By unknown reasons, the work with the library compiled for MetaTrader 5 x64 ends with “Stack overflow” error. If it is connected with Skype4COM, then you have to wait for the new messages where this error will be corrected.

The attachment has an archive with library source code (a project for Microsoft Visual C++ 2010) and test script to check its performance.