The purpose of this sub-forum

[Buzzbee]

Ian, we also got the same post-it from trade(able?) today...
(Hey, if one is on the wrong side of the Yen right now, one NEEDS humorous crim-mail)...

[gab777]

The API is only if creating a new client platform - if just using the platform on its own then you just have the multicharts platform costs as you mentioned (unless you are LMAX and decide you need the API for multicharts - i dont think thats the case now but it was when they first offered it)

The cTrader Open API is SUPPOSED to be free - but at the moment it DOES NOT EXISTS - its vapour ware - i think cTrader is generally fee but carries a higher commission

Actually, as far as I can see, cTrader seems to be *cheaper* than Empty4/MT5. For example, IC Markets lists commissions of 35$/100k$ for Empty4 ECN and 30$/100k$ for cTrader ECN accounts.

Also, upon checking out Spotware's website, they already list FxPro, Roboforex, Liquid Markets, IC Markets, Bully Pepperstone and a few others as broker clients. These are forex brokers that already have a Empty4 offering.

Of course this doesn't resolve the API or backtesting aspects that are still lacking, but it sure looks like the only competition that stands a chance right now.

[ianj]

Of course this doesn't resolve the API or backtesting aspects that are still lacking, but it sure looks like the only competition that stands a chance right now.

The Open API SHOULD provide trading capabilities sooner (hopefully) or later

As for backtesting - I have a cunning plan I just hope it isn't like one from Baldrick

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldrick) for those not versed in Black Adder speak

Sorry about the cross-post from the "programmers" thread, but it has significant relevance here, so please tolerate it:

"Finally got something concrete from Spotware about Open API

The current version support a web api (JSON) to query account, trading history, pending orders and current positions etc

Does not yet look like we have a feed or the ability to create positions but updates are promised soon - so it looks hopeful

At least we now know the structure of the API - A cTrader client is NOT NEEDED, offering the possibility of small and/or headless clients - ideal for cross trading platform algo trading engines, alternate platform clients etc"

[shjbentz]

discussing with a new colleague, he suggested I look at this site. It looks quite interesting. Looks sort like the best of both worlds MQL and C#.

http://www.mqlsharp.com/Default.aspx

Crap, just got to the price part. While it looks very impressive, it takes a $495 license to use it.
And any "runtime" files you distribute, has to be met with the user's $5 runtime license.

Guess I can stop reading about it now.

[ianj]

discussing with a new colleague, he suggested I look at this site. It looks quite interesting. Looks sort like the best of both worlds MQL and C#.

http://www.mqlsharp.com/Default.aspx

Crap, just got to the price part. While it looks very impressive, it takes a $495 license to use it.
And any "runtime" files you distribute, has to be met with the user's $5 runtime license.

Guess I can stop reading about it now.

My 10 second read also implies that you are constrained to using an Empty4 platform to relay the feed/commands to Empty4 - ie a bridge. This is ok as ONE of SEVERAL options but its doesn't really get far enough away from many of the Empty4 problems

This http://www.mt4api.net/home is similar
Or this http://www.nj4x.com/ for java

None improve the backtesting options - they BOTH offer enhanced debugging facilities, and better programming - after all each offers the service of a competent language specific IDE - In fact both are likely to slow down the backtesting process as the feed/trade instructions have to be relayed back and forward between the EA (in C# or Java) and the Empty4 instance - a performance killer. If the EA is PARTICULARLY processing intensive (say a neural network or some sophisticated math or pattern matching) then they might also offer an improvement in performance - both MQL# and Java will be orders of magnitude faster than native MQL but you are still fighting the bridge all the way

[bluepanther]

Empty4 is crap? I actually am fond of it, compared with FXCM's TradeStation, and CMC Markets platform. Certainly easier to obtain than NinjaTrader... too long a story and too long ago to remember that one.

[ianj]

Ian, we also got the same post-it from trade(able?) today...

Finally got something from tradable - looks like i am good to go - who knows where though

I havent had the time to look yet - when i get some impression of what its about i will drop a few words here

[aSushiRoll]

Am I mistaking when I say I think I read someone said cTrader doesn't support backtesting?

This is from cTrader/cAlgo spotware website:
Backtesting

cAlgo features advanced backtesting capabilities that let you test your robot’s performance against historical data.

You’ll be able to see detailed event logs, complete profit loss and trade reports, and graphs of your robots’ performance. Set a historical time period, hit play, and watch as the results come in.

Perhaps someone has some experience with this? Are multi-currency EA's backtestable?

[ianj]

Am I mistaking when I say I think I read someone said cTrader doesn't support backtesting?

It definitely supports backtesting (2.5 years back data - not extensible)
It definitely supports multi-currency forward testing (recent addition)

I do not know if it supports multi currency back testing - i have not and do not intend on writing any multi currency backtests myself, though it should be possible to write a test robot to see if it can

[SergeyKovalyov]

When you say that Pro Trader from PT Soft supports MQL4 code. Does this mean that the indicators and EA's and scripts we use in Empty4 will run in Pro Trader? Or do they have to be modified? It seems to support back testing, demo accounts etc judging by PT Soft video on it. Has anyone any experience with Pro Trader? Looking forward to some comments. Pedro2

OK, I know, the question is a bit outdated, but maybe there is somebody (even author of Q) still interested. So, I can answer, as I am from PFSOFT team.

Protrader imports any MQL4 (EA or indicator) code. Technicaly it translates them to C# and then compiles as Protrader's native C#-coded EA's. So, no modification of MQL4-coded EA's and indicators is required.