Network Functions

Network functions

MQL5 programs can exchange data with remote servers, as well as send push notifications, emails and data via FTP.

The Socket* group of functions allows establishing a TCP connection (including a secure TLS) with a remote host via system sockets. The operation principle is simple: create a socket, connect to the server and start reading and writing data.
The WebRequest function is designed to work with web resources and allows sending HTTP requests (including GET and POST) easily.
SendFTP, SendMail and SendNotification are more simple functions for sending files, emails and mobile notifications.

For end-user security, the list of allowed IP addresses is implemented on the client terminal side. The list contains IP addresses the MQL5 program is allowed to connect to via the Socket* and WebRequest functions. For example, if the program needs to connect to https://www.someserver.com, this address should be explicitly indicated by a terminal user in the list. An address cannot be added programmatically.

Adding the address to the list

Add an explicit message to the MQL5 program to notify a user of the need for additional configuration. You can do that via #property description, Alert or Print.

Function	Action
SocketCreate	Create a socket with specified flags and return its handle
SocketClose	Close a socket
SocketConnect	Connect to the server with timeout control
SocketIsConnected	Checks if the socket is currently connected
SocketIsReadable	Get a number of bytes that can be read from a socket
SocketIsWritable	Check whether data can be written to a socket at the current time
SocketTimeouts	Set timeouts for receiving and sending data for a socket system object
SocketRead	Read data from a socket
SocketSend	Write data to a socket
SocketTlsHandshake	Initiate secure TLS (SSL) connection to a specified host via TLS Handshake protocol
SocketTlsCertificate	Get data on the certificate used to secure network connection
SocketTlsRead	Read data from secure TLS connection
SocketTlsReadAvailable	Read all available data from secure TLS connection
SocketTlsSend	Send data via secure TLS connection
WebRequest	Send an HTTP request to a specified server
SendFTP	Send a file to an address specified on the FTP tab
SendMail	Send an email to an address specified in the Email tab of the options window
SendNotification	Send push notifications to mobile terminals whose MetaQuotes IDs are specified in the Notifications tab