If you are a trader or a developer who uses the MetaTrader 4 platform, you may have encountered the terms EX4 and MQ4 files. These are the file extensions for executable and source code files of expert advisors (EAs), indicators, and scripts that run on the MT4 terminal. In this article, we will explain what these files are, how they differ, and how you can use a tool called Ex4 To Mq4 Decompiler V40432 to convert EX4 files back to MQ4 format.
EX4 and MQ4 files are the result of compiling MQL4 code, which is the programming language used to create EAs, indicators, and scripts for MT4. MQL4 stands for MetaQuotes Language 4, and it is based on the C++ language. Compiling is the process of transforming human-readable source code into machine-readable binary code that can be executed by the MT4 terminal.
EX4 files are the executable files that contain the binary code of EAs, indicators, and scripts. They are usually located in the MQL4\Experts, MQL4\Indicators, or MQL4\Scripts folders of your MT4 data directory. You can run these files on your MT4 terminal by attaching them to a chart or launching them from the Navigator window.
MQ4 files are the source code files that contain the original MQL4 code of EAs, indicators, and scripts. They are usually located in the same folders as the EX4 files, or in the MQL4\Include or MQL4\Libraries folders if they are part of a larger project. You can edit these files using the MetaEditor program, which is integrated with MT4. You can also compile these files into EX4 files using MetaEditor.
The main difference between EX4 and MQ4 files is that EX4 files are encrypted and protected from being modified or reverse-engineered, while MQ4 files are plain text and open to editing and modification. This means that if you have an EX4 file, you cannot see or change its source code, but if you have an MQ4 file, you can view and modify its source code as you wish.
The reason why developers encrypt their EX4 files is to protect their intellectual property and prevent unauthorized copying or distribution of their EAs, indicators, or scripts. Some developers may also charge a fee for their products or offer them as subscription-based services. By encrypting their EX4 files, they ensure that only paying customers can use their products and that no one can tamper with their functionality or performance.
However, some traders or developers may want to access the source code of an EX4 file for various reasons. For example, they may want to learn from the code of a successful EA or indicator, modify it to suit their own needs or preferences, fix some bugs or errors, or add some new features or functions. In such cases, they may need a tool that can convert an EX4 file back to an MQ4 file.
Ex4 To Mq4 Decompiler V40432 is a tool that can convert EX4 files into MQ4 format. In other words, this program is designed to restore the source code of EAs, indicators, and scripts in the MT4 trading terminal environment. The decompiler was created by the purebeam.biz team in 2009. The latest version is number 40432 and was introduced in January 2013.
The decompiler works by analyzing the byte code of an EX4 file and mapping it back to its original MQL4 code with a few exceptions (variable and function names, comments). The decompiler can handle most of the EX4 files created in 2013 and earlier. However, it cannot decompile EX4 files created by newer versions of MetaEditor (build 600 or higher), which use a different compilation method that generates binary code instead of byte code. For such files, you may need to use an online decompilation service or hire a professional team to manually restore the source code.
To use Ex4 To Mq4 Decompiler V40432, you need to follow these steps:
Congratulations, you have successfully decompiled an EX4 file into an MQ4 file using Ex4 To Mq4 Decompiler V40432!
In this article, we have explained what EX4 and MQ4 files are, how they differ, and how you can use a tool called Ex4 To Mq4 Decompiler V40432 to convert EX4 files back to MQ4 format. We hope that this article was helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below.
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