Mt5/Mt4 Code Execution & Expression Styles/Patterns Styles

This are code execution styles / patterns, not broker execution. I will be breaking them down from the most basic/slow (in terms of flexibility and verbosity) to the fastest/most optimized styles, detailed explanations with code examples which will help you when creating an EA

1. Fully Expanded / Verbose Execution (Baseline) Everything is spelled out. No shortcuts. No chaining.

Code

 void OnTick() { double fast = iMA(_Symbol, PERIOD_CURRENT, 10, 0, MODE_SMA, PRICE_CLOSE, 0); double slow = iMA(_Symbol, PERIOD_CURRENT, 50, 0, MODE_SMA, PRICE_CLOSE, 0); if(fast > slow) { if(PositionsTotal() == 0) { trade.Buy(0.1); } } } 

Feel Safe, Clear, Kinda bulky

2. Condensed If Execution You remove nesting and compress conditions.

Code

 void OnTick() { if(iMA(_Symbol,0,10,0,MODE_SMA,PRICE_CLOSE,0) > iMA(_Symbol,0,50,0,MODE_SMA,PRICE_CLOSE,0) && PositionsTotal() == 0) { trade.Buy(0.1); } } 

What changed No temp variables, Logic inline

Tradeoff Harder to debug, Slightly faster (less variable overhead, but negligible)

3. Inline Execution (Single-Statement If) Now we drop the braces — one condition → one action.

Code

 void OnTick() { if(iMA(_Symbol,0,10,0,MODE_SMA,PRICE_CLOSE,0) > iMA(_Symbol,0,50,0,MODE_SMA,PRICE_CLOSE,0) && PositionsTotal() == 0) trade.Buy(0.1); } 

Feel Cleaner, More "trader style"

4. Ternary Execution (Compact Decision Style) Now you start using ? : like a sniper.

Code

 void OnTick() { (iMA(_Symbol,0,10,0,MODE_SMA,PRICE_CLOSE,0) > iMA(_Symbol,0,50,0,MODE_SMA,PRICE_CLOSE,0)) ? trade.Buy(0.1) : trade.Sell(0.1); } 

Reality check Looks slick, But dangerous in trading (you don't always want auto sell) Most pros only use ternary for values, not orders.

5. True One-Line Execution This is what you were hinting at.

Code

 void OnTick() { if(PositionsTotal()==0 && iMA(_Symbol,0,10,0,MODE_SMA,PRICE_CLOSE,0) > iMA(_Symbol,0,50,0,MODE_SMA,PRICE_CLOSE,0)) trade.Buy(0.1); } 

Or even tighter:

 if(PositionsTotal()==0 && iMA(_Symbol,0,10,0,MODE_SMA,PRICE_CLOSE,0) > iMA(_Symbol,0,50,0,MODE_SMA,PRICE_CLOSE,0)) trade.Buy(0.1); 

Feel Fast, Aggressive, Zero fluff

Hidden cost Re-computes indicators multiple times, Ugly when logic grows

6. Macro / Inline Function Execution Now this is where experienced devs get clever.

You hide complexity behind tiny wrappers.

Code

 #define BUY_SIGNAL (iMA(_Symbol,0,10,0,MODE_SMA,PRICE_CLOSE,0) > iMA(_Symbol,0,50,0,MODE_SMA,PRICE_CLOSE,0)) void OnTick() { if(PositionsTotal()==0 && BUY_SIGNAL) trade.Buy(0.1); } 

Why this hits Still one-line execution, But readable, Reusable

7. Chained Execution Style (Advanced Compact Logic) You combine multiple conditions + actions in one flow.

Code

 void OnTick() { if(PositionsTotal()==0 && (iMA(_Symbol,0,10,0,MODE_SMA,PRICE_CLOSE,0) > iMA(_Symbol,0,50,0,MODE_SMA,PRICE_CLOSE,0) ? trade.Buy(0.1) : trade.Sell(0.1))); } 

Honest truth This is where things start getting too clever.

It works… but if something breaks, you'll hate your past self 😅

8. Lambda-Style / Expression Execution (MT5 Advanced) MQL5 supports function-style compact execution patterns.

Code

 void Execute(bool condition) { if(condition) trade.Buy(0.1); } void OnTick() { Execute(iMA(_Symbol,0,10,0,MODE_SMA,PRICE_CLOSE,0) > iMA(_Symbol,0,50,0,MODE_SMA,PRICE_CLOSE,0)); } 

Feel Clean, Reusable, Almost like functional programming

Real Talk (this is the part people don't say)

When I first discovered one-line execution, I thought:

"Yeah… this is it. This is pro-level."

Then a few weeks later, debugging hit me like a truck.

Because in trading:

You don't just need speed

You need control + traceability

So the real balance most experienced devs land on is:

Compact logic, but not cryptic

One-line triggers, but precomputed signals

The "Sweet Spot" Most Pros Use

Something like this:

 bool buy = maFast[0] > maSlow[0]; if(PositionsTotal()==0 && buy) trade.Buy(0.1); 

Why this wins Execution is still one-line, Logic is separated, Debugging is easy

Bottom line

From slow → fast (in style, not just CPU):

Verbose blocks

Condensed if

Inline if

Ternary

One-line execution

Macro-driven execution

Chained expressions

Functional/lambda-style

Happy coding and trading and remember, proper risk management is what keeps you in the game.