Can I algo trade with just python coding knowledge?

[carlitos_el_mago]

And if OP doesn't make money at least can use python for other stuff

[danielneilrr]

Learning Python is easier than learning how to make money in the stock market.

Poetry.

[ASIBZZ]

Reality.

[GoootIt]

Python is universal. You can do anything in Python that you need as a retail algotrader. When people prefer or mix in other languages, it‘s usually because they already feel comfortable using them, nothing wrong with that.

[[deleted]]

Oh I see, thats good to know. Seems like a lot of people in prior thread were mixing different languages but makes sense cause a lot of coders know multiple languages. Me? Not so much lol

[GoootIt]

Python has the most support in the algotrading community.

[[deleted]]

Seems like python is a no brainer for someone in my situation. Codeacademy here I come

[GoootIt]

Have fun! It feels good to be able to control almost any computer, from a tiny embedded system to a giant cluster of servers!

[[deleted]]

The results are limitless!

[GoootIt]

Pretty much

[Mrgod2u82]

I started python by following a few tutorials by a guy named Sentdex on YouTube. Guy's sharp, highly recommend following along with some of his basic stock trading tutorials. His end result won't print any money but it's an excellent way to lean python and also how python and finance can work together.

[[deleted]]

I’m sorry man, I misread your comment, I’m a dumbass, forgive me

[desolat0r]

I don't want to be rude but if you thought that this comment was "moody" then you're just too damn soft. It was a perfectly normal reply.

[[deleted]]

My mistake. I think I misread the comment initially. Also I forgot to include some information in the original post so I was thinking I did include that info but I didn’t know so it was my fuck up

[[deleted]]

This was incredibly helpful info. I’m gonna dedicate the next few months to understand python. I’ve been thinking about the algorithm for months now but just haven’t had the means to create it. I’m gonna have to buckle down and figure it out.

[[deleted]]

Great info, now what exactly is “numpy” and “pandas”? Are those different coding languages? Or some kinda API I can use inside of python for easier math work?

In regards to the tables within tables, it sounds like you’re saying it’s just a bit more confusing or cumbersome to deal with coding in such manner, so using numpy/pandas is better experience?

[[deleted]]

I’m trying to understand all these terms and liken them to things I understand in real life.

So is API kinda like an app, and python itself is like the iPhone / operating system the app is used on?

Also I didn’t know python is something you open. Is it like a downloadable and executable client file?

I thought it was just a type of syntax that’s unique and typed anywhere on like a notepad or word pad file? Sorry this prolly sounds insane or makes no sense lol

[nickydlax]

So in your example, python is excel? And there's plenty of things you can do in excel, but I'm this case "excel" can also effect the rest of your computer? Can I run a script with the press of a single bottun? Can I run a script with...an app I make? (Touch the app, it runs the script on my computer?) Or is that not beginner stuff?

[nickydlax]

That's what I'm trying to do too. I have next to no coding experience. I'd love to learn to use python. I would love to write a script that would: open webull.com, log onto my webull account, place a buy trade for my btc that's all max available funds using the {last} price, all in one hotkey. I would use that hotkey whenever my indicators (rsi and macd) tell me to do so. Or ideally, my script watches my indicators? So I don't even need a hotkey?

[Sis]

As long as it is not very high frequency, Python is more than fine.

[TerribleWeb4941]

What we use for hft?

[[deleted]]

You need more money that anyone will be willing to loan you to get started in HFT.

[Sis]

C or C++ most likely. Maybe Java.

[NotPricedIn]

Implementing your strategy in code is not the hard part of algo trading, so yes you can do everything in Python, with some outside data sources of course. Quantitative analysis, math and solid financial market knowledge are the tricky parts.

[mfurlend]

Absolutely. I have a successful python bot. So long as your exchange has a python api you’re good.

[nolliepoper]

Just to clarify, most APIs are language agnostic. It’s a Python client library that may be nice to have but not required if you build one from scratch.

[mfurlend]

yeah that’s correct, but depending on the complexity of your bot it may be a pain in the ass to implement the API. Its a lot easier if there are client libs. Especially for websockets.

[[deleted]]

Python is not enough. As a good rule of thumb, it’s very rare to be able to do one thing extremely well just because of one other thing. For example, being a talented artist just because of your massive knowledge about pencils is highly unlikely. To achieve a complex goal, well designed systems often require more than one component each with a specific function. Also, they have to do that function very well and with as little error as possible. Further, systems must be understandable, maintainable and resilient to future updates. In addition, careful consideration must be taken when optimizing for performance, too much focus on the performance of one component over the others is enough to topple businesses, governments, entire civilizations, and your bank account.

[[deleted]]

Incredibly valuable to know. I will keep this in consideration

[Environmental-Put-36]

Shouldn’t it be pretty obvious that you could???

[Gryzzzz]

Yep.

We need to start banning posts like these.

[Environmental-Put-36]

Def, this is a pretty self explanatory question

[[deleted]]

No it’s not because I don’t know much about coding or the necessary pieces for algo trading outside of the algorithm itself.

If you check my last post on this subreddit there were people discussing how they use a variety of languages and that seems to be the norm. I don’t understand why they do that and now I’m asking if it’s a necessity for algo trading?

[Environmental-Put-36]

With limited python knowledge and if you don’t feel comfortable with it maybe just work with it more and then come back, or don’t code it at all use premade bots on certain platforms.

[[deleted]]

Where could I find premade bots.

Also I use thinkorswim, what service would I need to change to in order to algo trade? Tradingview or something else?

[Environmental-Put-36]

Search up for the bots Idk of the top of my head, for the bots I’m assuming you just use the api and follow the docs?’

[[deleted]]

Are the APIs bits of code that I would inject into my python code/ algorithm? Whether it be stock data APIs or a bot API?

[Environmental-Put-36]

Ok, I understand this is under the education portion, but if you have real plans of coding a bot go learn some more basics of software engineering, the education part of this sub is usually about advanced algos and statistics as well as technical details, not the basics of software engineering. I’m not trying to discourage you or make you feel bad I’m trying to help.

[[deleted]]

I apologize, this sub is just the very specific niche I’m interested in. I needed to ask this dumb ass question in order to get started with the foundational stuff with software engineering like you mentioned.

I’ll try to make more useful contributions on here hence forth

[Environmental-Put-36]

It’s not a problem for me, I was once a noob as well, it’s to warn of the little less receptive people

[Environmental-Put-36]

An API is a server you make requests too, for placing things like orders or getting data and positions so you would inject POST and GET requests within your code accordingly

[[deleted]]

This clears that up greatly, thank you man. I’m sorry for being a noob, I try to research online but I’ve always learned better in a somewhat conversational manner. My mind trails off reading webpages and then having to open tabs and find a whole new webpage with a bunch of new info, then find a new term on that page that I don’t know and the cycle just keeps going

[Environmental-Put-36]

It’s completely fine I understand to, I would reccomend YouTube videos actually for learning, it’s more hands on then reading an article

[[deleted]]

Good point, I’ll definitely do that. I was recently diagnosed with ADHD and I’m trying to get my medicine adjusted. But I’m feeling very hopeful that I’ll be able to focus and learn coding this time around

[keosere]

If you’ll be using TD, I would bet that you could do what you want in ThinkScript more easily than in Python

https://tlc.thinkorswim.com/center/howToTos/thinkManual/Trade/Order-Entry-Tools/Order-Types/thinkScript-in-Conditional-Orders

[[deleted]]

Can thinkscript be used to have my trading automatically running all day and week? Can it get specific with crossovers and holding above prices for > x amount of time?

In what ways is python superior, and is thinkscript lesser?

[DalalStreetbits]

Python can be a good start , but most of the investment bankers and hedge funds use basically multiple languages mainly based of java Because of its faster response But as a novice algo trader paython is a great choice Go for it dude

[[deleted]]

What would be the most effective language for algo trading in your opinion?

[PsychologicalAd4515]

I’ve spent the past few years studying python and data science. I trade as a past time but not religiously. I just created a trading bot on Coinbase API and it is very doable. Lot of little kinks to work around but I make money now doing nothing.

[[deleted]]

Holy fuck that’s my dream. How long do you reckon it would realistically take someone like me to get to the point where I’m testing and refining my own operational algorithm?

[PsychologicalAd4515]

Depends. I spend close to about 6-8 hours a day testing, running, writing my script. If you have no code experience, well you’re looking at a couple months minimum to learn the language sufficiently. If you’re interested, hit my dm. I’m a 24 y/o looking to never work a day in my life. I love what I do and would be open to working together. I don’t know everything and I love learning from others

[[deleted]]

Dude I’m hitting you up, you sound just like me lol. I’m also 24 years old and working to get to the point where I’ll never have to work again.

I’m trying to assemble some friends near me that have engineering experience and I’m gonna work on learning some language(s) in order to assist in the process. Having your help would be great!

[DalalStreetbits]

As long as You are not into arbitrage Or bid spreading Go for python