Platform updates that break EAs overnight
Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2026 2:22 pm
Trading terminals update automatically or on prompt, and new builds occasionally change behavior. A function that worked yesterday may return different values today, or a deprecated feature may be removed.
For scalping EAs, an update can alter order handling, timing, or indicator calculations. The issue may not trigger an obvious error. The EA keeps running, but with subtly different behavior, such as slightly different stop calculations or a changed tick handling.
Defend against it by controlling updates. Where possible, disable automatic updates or delay them until after testing on a demo. Keep a record of the build number in use, and log it at EA startup.
When a new build arrives, run it on a demo with the same EA for a few days and compare logs against the previous version for signs of change.
If a problem appears after an update, the build number in the log helps correlate. Some brokers allow rolling back or provide older installers.
A scheduled maintenance routine for software changes is part of running an automated system seriously.
How are platform updates handled, and is the build number recorded?
For scalping EAs, an update can alter order handling, timing, or indicator calculations. The issue may not trigger an obvious error. The EA keeps running, but with subtly different behavior, such as slightly different stop calculations or a changed tick handling.
Defend against it by controlling updates. Where possible, disable automatic updates or delay them until after testing on a demo. Keep a record of the build number in use, and log it at EA startup.
When a new build arrives, run it on a demo with the same EA for a few days and compare logs against the previous version for signs of change.
If a problem appears after an update, the build number in the log helps correlate. Some brokers allow rolling back or provide older installers.
A scheduled maintenance routine for software changes is part of running an automated system seriously.
How are platform updates handled, and is the build number recorded?