I guess that defeats the purpose of me raising my concern.

Most of the time, if I don't use the "additional entry signal", I leave the "maximum amount allowed" at the preset value, "20" as it is and then export the EA.  Hence, the export EA will reflect "20" for maximum amount allowed but will only trade 1 lot.

The problem arise, when I later decided to change this same EA and turn on the "additional entry signal" to "winner" and I change the "maximum amount allowed" to 4 Lots.  But because of the bug issue in the MT4, the MT4 didn't update the lot to 4 during refresh function but remain at the previous "20".  Hence, I was hoping that if you put the preset value instead of "20" to "1" or "5", then at least the error won't be so damaging to my trading account, when the bug arise.

I am not sure you whether you understand my explanation/suggestion.

The expert code is here: PopovMP/FSB_Expert_Advisor_Code. It doesn't have Max Value settings.

The only way the number 20 to appear to the EA is to be exported from FSB. During the export the program replaces the string 77702 with the real settings.

// -----------------------    External variables   ----------------------- //

extern double Entry_Amount    = 77701; // Amount for a new position #TRADEUNIT#
extern double Maximum_Amount  = 77702; // Maximum position amount [lot]
extern double Adding_Amount   = 77703; // Amount to add on addition #TRADEUNIT#
extern double Reducing_Amount = 77704; // Amount to close on reduction #TRADEUNIT#

See: https://github.com/PopovMP/FSB_Expert_A … rt_MT4.mq4

THE ONLY WAY TO SEE 20 IN THE EA IS TO EXPORT IT FROM FSB.

Your EA cannot fabricate this number alone.

And because of the bug issue, the MT4 take into account the instruction to add position but didn't update the "4" lots as maximum but remain in the default "20"

The EA does not have default number of max lots. The number you see is exported from FSB. If you see 20 in the EA, it means that you have exported 20 form FSB. No mater what I set as default value, it requires attention and change before exporting.

I just made the effort to search the EA code for number 20. It appears on two places only in the EA code and both of these are not related to the max entry lots.

Yes, I realised can't be "0" but at least "1" or do an auto calculation based on (i.e. this amount will change according to) the in put for A) "Entry amount for a new position and B)"additional entry signal"

Eg 1.  If Entry amount for new position is "1" and no "additional entry signal" is chosen, then the maximum amount is "1"

Eg 2. If Entry amount for new position is "1" and "additional entry signal", "winner" and "amount to add on position" is "1", then the maximum amount is "1+1=2 or manual input to 4"

Although you said that there isn't any default for maximum position allowed.  When I open a new strategy in the FSB Pro, the maximum position amount is set at "20" already.

And when I open the EA properties in the MT4, the maximum position allowed is set at "20" too (this is fine when the "additional same direction signal" is set as "nothing", the EA will follow the amount set by "Entry amount for a new position". 

However, in the event of bug issue such as my case, whereby I choose "additional entry signal" as winner and "amount to add position" is 1 and the maximum is 4.  And because of the bug issue, the MT4 take into account the instruction to add position but didn't update the "4" lots as maximum but remain in the default "20" and hence, add 20 positions instead of 4.  Hence, I thought for safety issue, can you either consider to change the "default" setting 20 to something else be it 1 or auto calculation? or allow the user to change this setting manually (as in the current case, the only difference is that "20" is not the preset number)

I rather the preset maximum number be set at 1 than 20 and then let the user adjust accordingly.  Because in event of a bug issue, 20 lots opened unintentionally is a disaster.  I hope you understand what I'm driving at.  You always looked into safety issue.  And I think it is good to prevent my case from repeating again although, it is no fault of FSB Pro but as you mentioned the bug lies with the MT4.  But for user protection, it's good to look into how to minimize the potential danger if bug issue arise again.

Hi Popov,

Can you consider changing the maximum lot default to "0" instead of "20" so that if in any case because of bug issue, the EA would not end up adding 20 lots.

EA has no default settings. All EA parameters come from the strategy you export.

You have to adjust it in any case. The Max Lots cannot be zero. If it make it lower than the entry amount, the strategy will not trade at all.

Can you consider changing the maximum lot default to "0" instead of "20" so that if in any case because of bug issue, the EA would not end up adding 20 lots.

. I almost decided making a self-generating, optimizing and trading expert !!!

Cool, with your talent and expertise, you should go for it!  Whereas for me, I can only dream about it

I have always been hoping and dreaming a EA constantly optimizing based on current and ongoing market data.  I only wished I have your set of skills.

However, I must say that the latest versions of the MQL language are much better than before. I almost decided making a self-generating, optimizing and trading expert !!!

MT4  does not go away easily

FSB has one algorithm for exporting Expert Advisor. It is not possible the first time to export it correctly, but the second time to export it wrong.

I'm 100 sure that the problem is that MT doesn't recover the EA settings correctly. I've read in the http://www.stevehopwoodforex.com/phpBB3/index.php forum that we have to never rely on that.

I can help you only if you reproduce a bug in FSB and post the exact steps for reproducing, the expert and the screenshots of all settings.

You should never refresh a working EA especially on a live account. The EA has tens of parameters in the MT memory out of the input parameters. MT will not recover them.

I change my experts only at a moment when there is no open positions. I do it by removing the EA from the chart and attaching it again and preferably on Saturday or on Sunday when the market is closed. And only if the FSB backtester doesn't show an open position at that time.

Yes, I've chosen the option to over ride the old file.

I don't think you truly understood my earlier explanation.  I am not referring to new set up when you choose the "additional entry signal" (this is working fine).  I am referring to changes made to old EA (i.e. add new position or increase the number of additional position from 4 to 8 etc).

Here are my steps, I hope it will make my explanation clearer. 

Step 1. I am currently running my EA. (originally with No "additional entry signal")
Step 2. Then I changed the same EA to add 4 lots for "next same direction" 
Step 3. I re-export the EA and "refresh" the MT4 (i.e. my old EA is still running/operating in the MT4)

After refresh, when I opened my currently running EA and check the EA properties in the MT4, the  maximum position allowed still remained as 20 (as before).

I hope you understand the above procedure and the problem I'm encountering.

I know that if after I've made the changes to the add position on next same signal,
and if I add in step 4 (i.e. re set up, then there won't be any problem).

1. I am currently running my EA. (originally with no "additional entry signal")
2. Then I changed the same EA to add 4 lots for "next same direction" 
3. I re-export the EA and "refresh" the MT4 (i.e. my old EA is still running/operating in the MT4)
4. Deleted the old EA currently running in the MT4 and re set up the EA again. (in the past, I don't need to do this step).