Can an executed order's magic number be used for recovery after an EA crashes?

[MTAB]

I have tried to research this online but I get multiple answers. Here is my question: After an EA crashes (or MT4 crashes or my system crashes) is there a way to use the magic number to have the EA "pick up where it left off?"

More information: Like most EAs, it uses multiple variables to control what to do, whether it is a pending trade or an executed order. However, if my EA crashes after a pending order has been placed or an order has been executed, my EA will not "recognize" them to continue on with the strategy, even after I restart the EA.

I don't mind deleting pending orders so that the EA can start again with those, but I do not want to have to close out executed orders just because the EA or MT4 or my computer restarts. Aside from using a VPS, is there a way to use the magic number to have the EA "pick up where it left off?" Or any other suggestions?

[l'andorrà]

Yes, that is possible, but you will need some custom code to store the relevant information into a file that can be retrieved later by the EA once it is run again on the chart. You will need a programmer to do that, I'm afraid.

[MTAB]

Thanks @l-andorrà, I was hoping there was another way but oh well!

[jstap]

Save things in a terminal variable (global variable), this way any saved values stay is terminal is closed

[MTAB]

@jstap Thank you so much for taking the time to respond! At the risk of sounding dumb, how exactly does one do that? I actually opened up my EA on the MetaEditor and it seems my variables are already listed under "Variables (Global Variables)" so should I assume this isn't what you mean?

[jstap]

Global variables (terminal variables) are values saved in a file in the terminal folder, push fn f3 to see a window of variables used in your platform. In output you have a yellow block that will save this from the name you chose, you can then get this value using most blocks, use in the same way as normal variables, but the backtest will change like in live, so you may need to use an if testing block to limit when it can be changed

[MTAB]

Wow, so ok thank you very much for that explanation. If I understand you correctly, I'm using the "Terminal variables" block to store the variables that I'm using for the EA like in the image below. Very clever way to solve this problem! A question I have now is based upon your back test comment: Since the variables will be the same on each chart, but their associated values will obviously be different on each chart, will running my EA simultaneously on Chart 1 and then Chart 2 (during live forward testing) overwrite the Chart 1 variables' values in the MT4 platform into the Chart 2 variables' values? If that makes sense...? Thanks in advance!

[jstap]

Yes, you will need to create a separate variable for each chart, then use something like a condition to decide which variable to check and change.

[MTAB]

Understood, thanks so much, @jstap !