EX4 and MQ4 Files
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EX4 Files: These are compiled files used by MetaTrader 4 (MT4), a popular platform for trading Forex and other financial instruments. EX4 files contain code written in MQL4, which is used for creating custom indicators, expert advisors (EAs), and scripts.
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MQ4 Files: These are the source code files for MQL4 programs. They are plain text files that contain the code before it's compiled into an EX4 file.
Tools for Decompilation
There are several tools and software solutions available that claim to decompile EX4 files back to MQ4. Some of these tools are:
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EX4 Decompiler: Various tools with this name or similar functionality exist. They claim to convert EX4 files back into MQ4.
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eX4 Protector: More than just a decompiler, it offers protection for your MQL4 code, but it also has decompilation capabilities.
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Decompiler EX4: Another tool specifically designed for decompiling EX4 files.
Decompiling EX4 to MQ4
The process of decompiling involves reversing the compilation process to obtain the source code or a form of it. There are several tools and services available that claim to decompile EX4 files back into MQ4. Some popular ones include:
- EX4 Decompiler: A straightforward tool designed specifically for decompiling EX4 files.
- EA Decompiler: Another tool aimed at decompiling MetaTrader EAs and indicators.
- Decompiler for MetaTrader: Some versions of decompilers are specifically designed for MetaTrader 4 and 5.
Ethical Considerations
Purchasing an EA typically grants a license to use it, not to own or modify its source. Decompilation circumvents protections put in place by developers who rely on sales for livelihood. Exceptions exist only when:
- The original code is lost and the developer is unresponsive
- The EA was explicitly offered as open-source (MQ4 provided)
- The user has written permission from the copyright holder
Without these, decompilation is ethically equivalent to software piracy.