Technical Analysis Software in C++ or Perl

[Vince_K 10]

Hello Friends,

From my research on Internet and TL... my deduction is that most of the TA Softwares use their own proprietary Coding language . I was wondering if there are any TA software/Charting tools which uses C,C++ or Perl for coding and trading strategy design . I am planning on using IB as my broker and was looking for the right TA software to use as the backend preferably which can be coded using C, C++ or Perl .

 

thanx in advance .

 

Vince

[SIUYA 11]

suggestion: Sierra Chart

I dont code in C, C++ but i think their language used is the same or similar, but i recommend the software for flexibility, versatility, reliability and price.

[Vince_K 10]

thanx Siuya ...I was looking at Sierra Charts after you recommended . Apparently they use a language derived from C++ and is probably the best available TA software if I need to code in C ++ .

But how is Sierra Charts interaction with IB ? I heard that NinjaTrader & MultiCharts perform very well with IB . Do we get the same features with SierraCharts as well ?

 

thanx in advance .

 

Vince

[SIUYA 11]

I use IB with Sierra charts and have not had a problem with them.

IB is NOT a data provider and dont make claims to be and there are some minor issues regards this - but a lot depends on how accurate and timely your requirements are. Everything can be worked around.

Sierra initially looks clunky as its not the polished looking sportscar but it works well and is reliable and seems to be growing in popularity all the time which is a good sign.

The programmers there are able to update, upgrade and fix issues, requests and bugs very quickly - its refreshing to see.

 

Regards IB, you can also use IB as the broker and a separate data source as the data if required, but that is probably unnecessary and overkill - plus it creates its own problems.

I have never had the connections between IB and SC be an issue - it sends various orders in and is reliable as any system i have ever used.

I used multicharts and have used ninja, but switched to SC and cant see any reason to change.....every one has their own preferences.

The great thing about SC is the flexibility and the fact the guys respond quickly to ideas, and there are a myriad of ways to do things on SC.....plus is great value.

[BlueHorseshoe 10]

If you have any difficulty getting a free trial, you could always sign up for a trial with Infinity Futures and gain access to Sierra Charts and plenty of live feeds that way.

 

Hope that's helpful . . .

 

BlueHorseshoe

[uexkuell 10]

... I am planning on using IB as my broker and was looking for the right TA software to use as the backend preferably which can be coded using C, C++ or Perl .

 

 

Not sure if this already clear to you:

 

There is no need to add an extra layer of software if you want to use the IB API (nothing like Sierra etc.).

In fact there are some disadvantages if you use an extra layer:

- Additional complexity

- Dependency on two programs that will be updated from time to time

- Less speed

 

You can write programs that access their system directly in VB, C++, .NET, Java and some other languages.

[Vince_K 10]

uexkuell.....Correct me if I am wrong . I am under the impression that most ppl use a seperate TA Software along with IB is bcoz it has a weak charting system , not suited for Backtesing & it doesnt have a stock screener based on indicators .

And also I was wondering if I could only use Sierra Charts or Ninja Trader for backtesting & stock screening only..... and implement all other automated trades on IB using C++ or Perl . Although I dont see a Perl API as such for IB ...Perl has financial modules which interacts with IB Java API .

[uexkuell 10]

uexkuell.....Correct me if I am wrong . I am under the impression that most ppl use a seperate TA Software along with IB is bcoz it has a weak charting system , not suited for Backtesing & it doesnt have a stock screener based on indicators .

And also I was wondering if I could only use Sierra Charts or Ninja Trader for backtesting & stock screening only..... and implement all other automated trades on IB using C++ or Perl . Although I dont see a Perl API as such for IB ...Perl has financial modules which interacts with IB Java API .

 

 

- IB weak charting, no backtesting

Yes, true

 

- Using Sierra or other for backtesting & screening

Sure. But you can also consider others, that may even be better suited to your needs

No need to connect the automated trading with the screening or charting.

 

- Perl

If you have the choice I'd recommend to use a language for interfacing to an API that is used by many people (can better get help, higher probability that the language interface has no/few bugs and is kept up with API revisions) and is as simple as possible (reduce development time).

 

 

If answers were helpful you may consider use of the thanks button.

[Albnd 10]

Hello Friends,

From my research on Internet and TL... my deduction is that most of the TA Softwares use their own proprietary Coding language . I was wondering if there are any TA software/Charting tools which uses C,C++ or Perl for coding and trading strategy design . I am planning on using IB as my broker and was looking for the right TA software to use as the backend preferably which can be coded using C, C++ or Perl .

 

thanx in advance .

 

Vince

 

You may definitely want to give a look to NinjaTrader. If you're trading futures there are many brokers offering free data for backtesting and brokerage. The language is very similar to C# and there's plenty of extensions and components available here and there on the net. The integration with IB is provided via mail/popserver protocol, and it's usually working quite well.

[Vince_K 10]

Hello Friends,

Thanx for all your comments and advices . since the past few days I had been experimenting with 3 different TA Softwares ...Sierra Chart,Amibroker & Ninja Trader . Ninja Trader & Amibroker certainly has a better look and feel than Sierra Chart . Amibroker in particular...the charting looks highly sophasticated with tons of drag & drops . But in spite of all this I have decided to stick with Sierra Chart bcoz of 3 reasons

 

i) The Programming Language used by Sierra Chart is C++ which I am used to . Ninja Trader uses C# which has very little in common with C++ excpet for the letter C . C# uses an object oriented structure which is very similar to Java and I hate Java ..... And I certainly dont think its worth taking the effort to learn a new language in AFL for Amibroker and also did not like the small notepad like editor which comes with it to write and compile AFL

 

ii) I can combine excel and C++ to manipulate my data in Sierra Chart which is an added advantage

 

iii) The online documentation for Sierra Chart is exceptional . Very informative and resourceful for beginers and developers . Only drawback is that they dont provide that in pdf .

 

 

Vince

[Albnd 10]

Hello Friends,

Thanx for all your comments and advices . since the past few days I had been experimenting with 3 different TA Softwares ...Sierra Chart,Amibroker & Ninja Trader . Ninja Trader & Amibroker certainly has a better look and feel than Sierra Chart . Amibroker in particular...the charting looks highly sophasticated with tons of drag & drops . But in spite of all this I have decided to stick with Sierra Chart bcoz of 3 reasons

 

i) The Programming Language used by Sierra Chart is C++ which I am used to . Ninja Trader uses C# which has very little in common with C++ excpet for the letter C . C# uses an object oriented structure which is very similar to Java and I hate Java ..... And I certainly dont think its worth taking the effort to learn a new language in AFL for Amibroker and also did not like the small notepad like editor which comes with it to write and compile AFL

 

ii) I can combine excel and C++ to manipulate my data in Sierra Chart which is an added advantage

 

iii) The online documentation for Sierra Chart is exceptional . Very informative and resourceful for beginers and developers . Only drawback is that they dont provide that in pdf .

 

 

Vince

 

Keep us posted about your progress with this software.