Backtesting software

dandxg --
The bad news=
In all honesty, some people have trouble with AmiBroker because there is usually some programming involved. Having no previous programming experience means you will have to invest a little more time than someone who has had some.
(Actually you can do a whole lot without any programming at all. However with programming, there is almost no limit.)

The good news=
Tons of examples are available and lots of peer help on the forums.

BTW, I'm reading a book by John Ehlers where he explains many high powered indicators which he developed. He even supplies code in EasyLanguage (Trade Station) and EFS (E-signal), neither of which I know. However, his first example takes:
13 lines in EasyLanguage, and
39 lines in EFS, but
9 lines in AFL (AmiBroker Formula Language) is all you would need.

Just my "fair and balanced" opinion.
 
Quote from keithm:

dandxg --
The bad news=
In all honesty, some people have trouble with AmiBroker because there is usually some programming involved. Having no previous programming experience means you will have to invest a little more time than someone who has had some.
(Actually you can do a whole lot without any programming at all. However with programming, there is almost no limit.)

The good news=
Tons of examples are available and lots of peer help on the forums.

BTW, I'm reading a book by John Ehlers where he explains many high powered indicators which he developed. He even supplies code in EasyLanguage (Trade Station) and EFS (E-signal), neither of which I know. However, his first example takes:
13 lines in EasyLanguage, and
39 lines in EFS, but
9 lines in AFL (AmiBroker Formula Language) is all you would need.

Just my "fair and balanced" opinion.
More...

Thanks for objective feedback. :)
 
Quote from dandxg:

... In all fairness I would probably have some similar complaints of any back testing software as I have a steep learning curve just starting out ...
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You have hit the nail on its head. With that in mind, the easiest software to use is not necessarily going to be the one best suited for you. Ease of use and customer support are definitely important factors. Regardless, remember also to consider your needs and style when reviewing different software.
 
Quote from dandxg:

Thanks for the feeback folks. Ironically, I have considered other products because, as I recall, Amibroker only offers e-mail support, which isn't great support IMO. I have never backtested ever, and I spent 2 hours, trying to get up to speed on how to just use the program. That was just to get the data from E Signal imported! :D I guess it would be nice if they had videos, as I am visually oriented person, to watch like Sierra Chart and Ninja Trader do.

This is by no means a slam on Amibroker, as I have heard alot of positive things. I am considering AIQ as well, because they have phone support and my friend/mentor could help me write the code, since he has it.

I guess it would be nice to know exactly what I need, but that's hard since this is phase 1 for me. There are so many products that claim to backtest from linsoft to now Ninja Trader ( in a limited fashion). I guess it's trial and error, just like trading. :)
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hi Dan,

I use many programs,Amibroker and AIQ being 2 of them...I would say I am a programming numnut,but fairly smart and willing to get dirty..

Amibroker is a very good program,and their basic language,AFL is very easy to code in.The only thing easier would be a programming wizard,and you would outgrow that in no time.

Ami can be a bit quirky,and it is so powerful and Tomasz enhances the program so often that it can be a bit overwhelming.I personally find the documentation average at best,and lack of videos a negative.But in fairness,I have never seen a guy make so many upgrades in my life..

The real question is how complicated is the code you are going to write.Ami can easily do fairly complicated systems with optimisations of up to 10 variables..And its LIGHTENING fast..

Now for the bad news..If you think you are going to scale in and out of positions and stuff like that.GOOD F-ing LUCK..The code for that stuff is a whole "nother" ballgame,and the documentaion really stinks for that...It needs to be vastly improved,but keep in mind that these are features that may not even be offered on other programs...Ami is so powerful that it can be daunting,but at the basic to intermediate level it is simple to use..

AIQ on the other hand offers a fraction of the "power" of AMI,and isnt as flexible a charting program.However,if you are an equities trader and believe in bottom up or top down investing or group sector rotation,AIQ can not be beat.AIQ does have basic to intermediate coding,but can not do advanced position sizing and money management algorithms..You can not optimise either..

As you can see,Ami can do tons of things AIQ cant,but I personally like AIQ's approach to trading the markets better.They have an approach which works for me,and I find the manner in which AIQ sets up their stocks,groups and sectors to be the best in the business...

Either way you canr go wrong..AMIbroker can do anything,but be prepared foe some very fustrating days and nights.AIQ is much more limited,but the things they offer are much easier to use
 
taowave,
what other programs have you used for backtesting that you are comparing aimbroker to? have you used linnsoft, tradestation, neo ticker, etc.?
 
Quote from gongish:

taowave,
what other programs have you used for backtesting that you are comparing aimbroker to? have you used linnsoft, tradestation, neo ticker, etc.?
More...

Traders Studio,TradeStation(replaced by Traders Studio) and I demoed Neoticker Eod
 
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