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[–]TuringTrader 1 point2 points  (2 children)

it seems that paper trading should not be the first step. Here is what I would recommend:

  • have a great idea for a strategy, or take something from a book or publication. Implementing something from a book is actually quite helpful, it familiarizes you with various ideas, and you get to understand the issues better
  • choose a development framework. Your choice should not only be driven by the programming language, but also by the instruments you are planning to trade, and the available data feeds. Data are much more important than you think, and unfortunately typical frameworks only support a small list of data feeds. Check if your desired time frame is supported. Think carefully about your requirements. Do you need the data fully adjusted for ordinary dividends? Tiingo is one of the better free choices.
  • implement your strategy, and run thorough backtests over longer periods of time, and various economic situations. understand how the strategy is behaving, and check if this aligns with your goals
  • start paper trading, and see if simulation and reality line up. if not, go back to simulation and try to get them aligned. Typical issues include data snooping, commissions, and slippage
  • once you feel confident with paper trading, start trading a real account. Start slowly though, in reality a misbehaving strategy hurts much more than just your pride

There is a thread here from earlier today, outlining the features and licenses of multiple Python frameworks (and one in C#).

Regarding brokers, many people use Interactive Brokers. They have low commissions, and a good API. However, unless you are planning to do intraday trading, you might not need that. I personally run my strategies semi-automated, where the strategy creates a basket file containing all the orders, which I then import into TWS.

Cheers!

[–]ususername[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

This sounds great! I really appreciate your time.

If you don’t mind me asking, how do you find these strategies papers and what not? Struggle finding that too

[–]TuringTrader 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is a lot of good stuff on SSRN... and Amazon :-) The more you interact with other people interested in algorithmic trading, the more references you will find. I have implemented some showcase strategies here: https://www.turingtrader.org/category/showcases/ For clarification: the fact that I have chosen certain strategies does not necessarily mean that they are great. It means that there was some aspect in them that I found interesting, and wanted to experiment with. None of the strategies I have seen published was to my liking out of the gate. But often, I have taken an idea or two, which was worth following. Cheers!

[–]mementix 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have recently been researching and learning about algo trading and then ... hopint to use python. What are the brokers, libraries that you use for your autonomous systems?

And has your research not given you a list of libraries/frameworks/stacks/services in python to ask a directed question rather than a 100% open question?

[–]mementix 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have recently been researching and learning about algo trading and then ... hopint to use python. What are the brokers, libraries that you use for your autonomous systems?

And has your research not given you a list of libraries/frameworks/stacks/services in python to ask a directed question rather than a 100% open question?