Let's look at this in a little more detail. Since the files of both formats under consideration actually contain the same programme code, they can be converted from one to the other. ex4 file before uploading it to the MT4 trading platform. After editing the source code, the user has to compile the. These files are text files that can be viewed and edited using text editors or special integrated development environment (IDE) in MT4.
mq4 contain the source code of Expert Advisors, indicators and scripts written in the MQL4 programming language for the MetaTrader 4 platform.
ex4 binary format, which can be loaded directly into MT4 and run in the trading terminal without the need for additional compilation on the user's side. Expert Advisors, indicators and scripts are written in MQL4 programming language and then compiled into. ex4 extension are compiled executable files of Expert Advisors, custom indicators and scripts developed for use in the MT4 trading platform. The difference between these files lies in their purpose and content: Files with extensions EX4 and MQ4 are related to programming for the MetaTrader 4 (MT4) trading platform.