Meta Trader 4 Platform

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Client Terminal is a part of the online trading system. It is installed on the trader's computer and intended for:

• receiving quotes and news in the online mode;
• performing of trade operations;
• controlling and managing of open positions and pending orders;
• conducting of technical analysis;
• writing of expert advisors, custom indicators, scripts, and functions in MetaQuotes Language 4 (MQL 4);
• testing and optimizing of trading strategies.

For making a decision to trade, reliable on-line information is necessary. For that, quotes and news are delivered at the terminal in the real-time mode. On basis of on-line delivered quotes, it is possible to analyze markets using technical indicators and line studies. Expert allow to work off routine of observing markets and the own positions. Moreover, to ensure more flexible control over positions, several order types are built into the terminal.
The Client Terminal can operate under Microsoft Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP/2003. Hardware requirements are limited with software ones.

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To install Client Terminal, it is necessary to download its distributive and launch it. Then it will be necessary to choose a directory for installing the program there and follow the Installation Wizard tips. After the terminal has been installed it will run automatically.
Terminal can also be installed over an installed version of it. At that, all terminal settings remain as they were in the preceding version. Exceptions can be: DEFAULT profile and template, as well as standard MQL4 programs included in the delivery set. This is why it is not recommended to change standard templates or profiles, but to create MQL4 progams named uniquely.
If there is a need to work with several accounts simultaneously, the corresponding amount of terminals must be installed in different directories. At that, each terminal has its individual settings, except for registration details and interface language, that are stored in the Registry.

To Download PCM Trader Platform please Open an Demo Account

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After installation has been completed, a group of Client Terminal programs will be created in the "Start" menu, and the program shortcut will additionally appear on the desktop. They will help to start client terminal.

Attention: Two copies of the Client Terminal are prohibited to be started from the same directory simultaneously. To start several terminals simultaneously, it is necessary to install the corresponding amount of programs in different directories.

Terminal can be started from the command line, certain parameters having been specified. The account number and profile name can be used as a parameter. If the account number was specified as this, an attempt to authorize this account will be made at the program start. If the profile was specified there, it will be downloaded automatically. For example, terminal.exe "123456-'British Pound'", where "123456" is the account number, and British Pound is the profile name. If there are spaces in the command line (like in the above profile name), the double quotation marks should be used. If no spaces occur, there is no need in double quotation marks. Single quotes are used for profile names. For example, terminal.exe 123456-'GBPUSD'. Either login only, or profile and login can be used in the command line. The profile cannot be used without login.

The terminal can also be started with predefined settings. For more details, please look through the "Configuration at Startup" and "Datacenter.ini" sections.

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Terminal allows to work with two types of accounts: demo accounts and real accounts.
Demo accounts enable working under training conditions, without real money on them, but they allow to work out and test trading strategy very well. They possess all the same functionality as the real ones. The distinction consists in that demo accounts can be opened without any investments, though one cannot count on any profit from them.

Opening of a Demo Account

A demo account can be opened by the
file/open an accounts
menu command or by the same command of the
Navigator/Accounts
window context menu. Besides, the terminal will offer to open a demo account at the first program start to begin working immediately.

• Name full name
• Country country of residence
• State area (region, territory, state, etc.) of residence
• City city of residence
• Zip code zip code
• Address exact mailing address (street name, house and apartment numbers
• Phone contact telephone number
• Email email address
• Account Type account type to be selected the list defined by the brokerage company
• Currency the basic currency of the deposit to be set automatically depending on the account type selected
• Leverage the ratio between the borrowed and owned funds for trading
• Deposit the amount of the initial deposit in terms of the basic currency.

To activate the "Next" button and continue registration, it is necessary to flag "I agree to subscribe to your newsletters". Then a server must be chosen to connect to. Addresses of available servers, their names and ping are listed there. The most preferable is the server having the lowest ping. After the registration has successfully completed, a window will appear that contains information about the open account: "Login" the account number, "Password" password for access, "Investor" the investors password (connection mode in which it is possible to check the account status, analyze the price dynamics, etc., but no trading is allowed). After registration has been completed, the new account will appear in the "Navigator / Accounts" window, and it is ready to work with. At that, the server sends a message to the terminal containing login and passwords of this newly opened account. This message can be found in the "Terminal / Mailbox" window. Besides, after the account has been successfully registered, it will be authorized automatically.

Attention: If any problems occur at the account opening, technical support service of the brokerage company should be asked for help.

Opening of a Live Account

Real accounts, unlike demo accounts, cannot be opened the terminal. They can only be opened by brokerage companies under certain terms and conditions. Real accounts are marked correspondingly in the "Navigator / Accounts" window. To start working with them, one must perform authorization.

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Authorization is connection of terminal to the server through a login and a password. It allows to manage a trading account. Two accesses to the account are possible in the terminal:
a normal password and an investor password. Being authorized with the standard password, one gets full rights for working with the terminal. Investor authorization allows to see the account status, analyze prices, and work with expert advisers, but not to trade. Investor access is a convenient tool used for demonstration of trading at the account.

To be authorized, it is necessary to execute the "Login" command of the context menu of the account (context menu is called by clicking with the right mouse button at the account number) in the "Navigator" window or "File" menu. Then, the account number, one of its passwords (standard or investor) should be given in the appearing window, and a server should be chosen. After all data have been specified, the "Login" button should be pressed.

Attention: If the "Keep personal settings and data at startup", option is enabled, the latest account used will be automatically authorized at the next start of the terminal. The "Keep personal settings and data at startup" option in terminal settings carries out the same action.

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A live update system (LiveUpdate) is built into the terminal. It allows to get informed about and install new versions of the program promptly. This system is always enabled, it is impossible to disable it.
The terminal checks for new versions of the program when it connects to the server. If a new version has been discovered, a new window named "Live Update" will appear, the client will be offered to download the update(s). To start downloading these updated files, the "Start" button must be pressed. The updating process and the list of files to be downloaded can be observed in this window. After the updates have been downloaded, the new version of the terminal will be automatically installed and restarted.

Attention: If there is no connection to the server, the live updating process will not start. If any problems with live updating occur, the Technical Support Service should be referred to. When updated, the examples of using expert advisors, indicators and scripts delivered together with the Client Terminal can be overwritten.

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Client Terminal is generally set up in a special window that can be called by the " Tools /Settings " menu command or with accelerating keys Ctrl+O. All settings are grouped according to their tasks and located in the following tabs:


Server : setting up parameters of connection to the server, configuring of the used proxy server and Data Centers, as well as other important settings;

Charts : general setting of the displaying of price charts. It is possible to detect whether period separators, Ask-price level, OHLC line will be shown. Besides, the amount of bars stored and displayed on the chart can be defined in this tab;

Objects : setting up parameters of objects management. Selection of object after they have been created, their immediate setting, and docking parameters are defined here;

Trade : parameters of opening new orders by default. They include: financial instrument (symbol), the amount of lots and deviation;

Expert Advisors : settings common for all experts. They include: locking of operation for expert advisors, enabling of importing functions from external DLL libraries and advisors, as well as a number of other features;


Email : setting up email parameters. If there is a necessity to send messages by email directly from the terminal, the parameters of the mailbox to be used must be set up;

Publisher : setting up publishing reports in internet. The terminal allows to publish reports in the real-time mode that contain information about the account status in internet. Connection through ftp is used for this purpose that can be set up in this tab;

Events : setting up signals informing about system events. Signals informing about connection unavailability, news incomes, and others, simplify the work very much.

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This tab contains the most important settings changes in which can cause serious troubles in the terminal operation as far as the full disconnection. The client terminal is initially configured in the way providing normal, trouble-free operation. Thus, it is highly recommended not to change any parameters in this window needlessly.

In the " Settings/Server " window, it is possible:

• to choose a server to connect to;
• to configure the proxy server;
• to set up operation through Data Centers;
• to specify and change passwords;
• to enable export of quotes through DDE protocol;
• to enable income of news.

Server
Practically, the entire work of the Client Terminal is based on data (news and quotes) continuously incoming from the server. If a client terminal does not receive quotes, it is impossible to trade with it. In such a mode, the terminal allows just to analyze the existing data with indicators and line studies and test expert advisors. This situation can emerge for a number of reasons, one of them is incorrect setting of the server connection.

For connecting the client terminal to the server, the exact server IP address (or domain name) and port must be known. After the program has been installed, all these data will be specified, there is usually no need to change them. However, if there is a need to connect to another server, its address and port must be given in the "Server" field. The data must be given in the following format: "[internet address of the server] : [port number]" (without spaces). For example: "192.168.0.1:443", where "192.168.0.1" is the server address, and "443" is the port number. After the data have been input, the "OK" button must be pressed.

The newly set server address and port number are stored on the hard disk. These data do not influence the operation of the client terminal until an attempt to open a new account is made. It is this moment when the terminal starts using of these given address and port number. The new server address will be added to the list of servers during account registration, and it can be chosen. If connection to the server succeeds, the new account will be opened. Otherwise, it is recommended to check all settings and try to reconnect.

Attention: Incorrect connection setting is not the only reason for which a new account cannot be opened.

Proxy Server

Connection to internet through a proxy server can be another reason for which the server cannot be connected to. A proxy server is an intermediate between the trader's computer and the trading server. It is mostly used by internet providers or by local networks. If a connection problem occurs, you should turn to your systems administrator or to the internet provider. If a proxy is used, the terminal must be set up in a corresponding way. Setting of "Enable proxy server" checkbox will enable proxy server support and activate the "Proxy..." button. Pressing of this button will open the window where proxy server parameters should be specified (these data can be given by the systems administrator or by internet provider):

Server: proxy server address and type (HTTP, SOCKS5, or SOCKS4);

Login : a user login for access to the proxy server. If login is not needed, this field must remain empty;

Password : a password for access to the proxy server. If password is not needed, this field must remain empty.

After the parameters have been specified, it is recommended to press the "Test" button to check how the settings work. If they have been tested successfully, the "OK" button must be pressed in order the settings to be effective. Error message means that the proxy server was set up incorrectly. To find out about the reasons, the system administrator or internet provider must be contacted again.

Data Centers

Data Centers (access points) are a part of the trading platform and represent specialized proxy servers. They allow to save common traffic: the same quotes and news are given to several client terminals at the same time. Access points are located between the server and a client terminal. One server can have several access points through which all traders will connect to it. After a terminal has been installed, connection to Data Centers is set up automatically. It is highly recommended not to change anything. Incorrect setting of connections to Data Centers can be the reason for no connection between the terminal and the server.

If there is a necessity to change settings of Data Centers, it is recommended to contact Technical Support Service first. All information needed to set up Data Centers correctly can be obtained there. In the most cases, it is sufficient just to flag "Data Center auto configuration". After that, the client terminal will choose the most preferable access points automatically.

For manual setting of access points, this option must be disabled. Then, in the activated "Data Center" field, the IP address (or domain name) and port number must be specified. The data must have the following format: "[Data Center internet address] : [port number]". The settings must be checked by pressing the "Test" button located to the left of this field. If settings are correct, the corresponding message will appear. After that, it will be possible to start working. If an error message appears, the Technical Support service must be contacted to solve the problem.

Attention: It is not recommended to set up access to Data Centers manually without a special need. Before setting up access to Data Centers manually, it is highly recommended to read the Help files of this program.

Account and Login

Client terminal can connect to the server and work only using an account. There are login (the account number), master and investor passwords in the Client Terminal. To be authorized, one needs an account number and one of two passwords. The master password allows the full access to the account, while the investor one gives only a limited access. Being authorized with the investor password gives the right to look through charts, perform technical analysis and test expert advisors, but not trade. Investor password is a convenient tool showing the trading process at this given account.

After the account has been opened and if "Keep personal settings and data at startup" option is enabled, its data (number, master and investor passwords) will be stored at the hard disk. At the program restart, these data will be used to connect the account automatically. If the option is disabled, a password must be entered manually at each restart of the terminal.

The current account number and password are specified in the fields of "Login" and "Password". Data of another account can be input in these fields, then, after the "OK" button has been pressed, the terminal will try to authorize it. If authorization was not successfully completed, the data given should be checked and re-authorized. If this does not help, the Technical Support service should be contacted.

Having pressed the "Change" button, one can specify new passwords in the window appeared. Doing so, one has to know the current password. It can be found in the message sent from the server after registration of a demo account. The new password is input in the corresponding field. If the "Change investor (read only) password" option is enabled, the investor (not master) password will be changed.



Data Export through DDE Protocol

Quotes delivered to the terminal can be exported to other applications through "DDE" (Dynamic Data Exchange) protocol. To enable export of quotes, the "Enable DDE server" option must be enabled and the "OK" button must be pressed. Data delivery will start immediately. More details about export of quotes can be found in the corresponding section.
News

Terminal allows to receive financial news promptly. They start to income just after connection to the server. No news issued when the terminal was disconnected will income in it. To enable news delivering, it is necessary to flag "Enable news". In the "Terminal" window, the "News" tab will appear in which news will be delivered as they are issued.

Attention: If the " Enable news " option is enabled, but no news were issued, the " News " tab will not appear in the " Terminal " window.

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Charts show the dynamics of symbol price changes. Charts settings and history data parameters are grouped in this tab. Changing of parameters in this tab will not cause any global changes in operation of the terminal.

[LIST][*] Trade Levels
Lines of open and pending orders placed directly in the chart visualize where exactly the position was opened, when the pending order, Stop Loss or Take Profit will trigger. This option saves traders' work and helps to avoid some mistakes caused by human emotions. For it to be enabled, the "Show trade levels" must be checked, and the "OK" button must be pressed. At that, the lines corresponding with open prices of positions and orders will appear in the chart. Of course, if no order or position are opened, no levels will be shown in the chart. This option is active for open positions or orders only. No closed position will come within its action.
[*] Ask Line
Bars in the terminal are built and shown only for Bid prices. However, for opening of long positions and closing of short ones, Ask price is always used. But it is not shown in the chart in any way, it cannot be seen. To control over one's trading activities more attentively, one can enable the "Show Ask line" parameter. After this command has been executed, an additional horizontal line corresponding with Ask price of the last bar will appear in the chart.

[*] OHLC Line
Charts show the price dynamics, but it is often very difficult to determine exact parameters of the bar by eye. The "Show OHLC" option is very helpful in such situations. It places an additional information line in the upper left corner of each chart. Here, besides the symbol name and chart period, prices of the last bar are listed. They are formatted as follows: OPEN, HIGH, LOW and CLOSE (OHLC)

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Charts show the dynamics of symbol price changes. Charts settings and history data parameters are grouped in this tab. Changing of parameters in this tab will not cause any global changes in operation of the terminal.

Trade Levels
Lines of open and pending orders placed directly in the chart visualize where exactly the position was opened, when the pending order, Stop Loss or Take Profit will trigger. This option saves traders' work and helps to avoid some mistakes caused by human emotions. For it to be enabled, the "Show trade levels" must be checked, and the "OK" button must be pressed. At that, the lines corresponding with open prices of positions and orders will appear in the chart. Of course, if no order or position are opened, no levels will be shown in the chart. This option is active for open positions or orders only. No closed position will come within its action.
Ask Line
Bars in the terminal are built and shown only for Bid prices. However, for opening of long positions and closing of short ones, Ask price is always used. But it is not shown in the chart in any way, it cannot be seen. To control over one's trading activities more attentively, one can enable the "Show Ask line" parameter. After this command has been executed, an additional horizontal line corresponding with Ask price of the last bar will appear in the chart.
OHLC Line
Charts show the price dynamics, but it is often very difficult to determine exact parameters of the bar by eye. The "Show OHLC" option is very helpful in such situations. It places an additional information line in the upper left corner of each chart. Here, besides the symbol name and chart period, prices of the last bar are listed. They are formatted as follows: OPEN, HIGH, LOW and CLOSE (OHLC)