Re:Ask HN: What stock trading API do you use or recommend?
by fernandomm on Wednesday October 17, 2018 @06:18AM
(#18237698)
I'm currently using MetaTrader software[1] and their language MQL ( MetaQuotes Language ), which is basically C++ with some trading functions/libraries.
Most of my code is written in Python, so I only use the C++ part to place orders. Everything else is done with Python.
The 2 main advantages that I see with MetaTrader is that:
- I can change brokers without having to rewrite anything or learn a new API. I just need to enter the server + login information in MetaTrader. At least in my country, almost all brokers have MetaTrader support.
- I can run and store the code locally. If you use something like quantopian.com, the code is run and stored in their servers. This brings a series of limitations like outdated/missing libraries or slow backtesting since they have to limit CPU/memory resources.
Most of my code is written in Python, so I only use the C++ part to place orders. Everything else is done with Python.
The 2 main advantages that I see with MetaTrader is that:
- I can change brokers without having to rewrite anything or learn a new API. I just need to enter the server + login information in MetaTrader. At least in my country, almost all brokers have MetaTrader support.
- I can run and store the code locally. If you use something like quantopian.com, the code is run and stored in their servers. This brings a series of limitations like outdated/missing libraries or slow backtesting since they have to limit CPU/memory resources.
[1] https://www.metatrader5.com/