Collaborating with a programmer to create trading tools/strategies - Have anyone done this?

[qlai]

Trust me, I am concerned about my ideas being stolen, but what options do I have, really?

When I am approached to do a project I always tell the client that I myself trade. So what I suggest to them is to make the code highly configurable even if there's no need to. For example, instead of telling me that you are trading SPY with 50/200 MA cross over on 5min chart, I tell them I will create a program which reads parameters from file where they can put a range of values. Just tell me what to parameterize.

Many times same strategy will work on some subset of instruments but will lose money on another subset.

One of the benefits is clients can actually run multiple instances side by side with different parameters.
The problem with this is that it makes the coding more complex, but I think it's worth it over a long time as market conditions change.

Of course if the developer is proficient with backtesting tools, given the concept, he/she can find some optimal parameters and instruments.

But, imho, there are very few people who have a fully automated (no discretion at all) system that is so unique that no one had ever thought of.
More likely it's something basic that had been refined over long time to suit their personality, risk parameters, and maybe just a small piece of a larger portfolio of uncorrelated strategies. Nothing that can make the developer a fortune by itself.

 

[Howard]

If you know high school math, you can learn how to program.

I don't doubt that. But I suspect it will take me quite a while to become proficient enough to create something similar to what I currently have. Just have to get started at it though.

Happy holiday to you.

Likewise.

 

[Howard]

My suggestion if you are really serious about getting someone to code rather than yourself, share it with them so they can use it.
It's the only way because it's a long tedious job and you will drive the coder nuts with your requests for changes.

That was the general idea. That I share my current application and that we move forward together from there. The programmer would obviously gain access to the application and what I have learned in my studies/practice of the financial markets.

But not so sure I'll go down this path anyway...

Another suggestion, if the code is quite large or complex, you will best need to add descriptive notes in amongst the code so you can keep track on the reasons lines of code are included.

I think or expect most decent programmers to do this. The problem with the current application is that the code is very poorly documented and everything is strung together as opposed to being split/organized in modules. Thus, it's very hard for a programmer with no experience with the project to get up to speed.

As mentioned, I had a guy do some modifications for me. But another modification I wanted done, he wouldn't touch. Simply because he saw that this particular calculation might affect/mess up other parts of the code and he didn't quite understand how it all fit in this grand puzzle.

 

[CannonTrading_Ilan]

Day trading. ES (S&P 500) futures. Long and short.



Cool.

The problem is the latter part. I understand that someone won't start programming my stuff unless they feel it's worthwhile for them to do so. On the other hand, I don't want to go around pitching my strategies and selling the shop just to have some asshole say he's not interested and then steal my stuff anyway. Or maybe work on it for a few weeks or months and than give up.

So, I'm definitely leaning towards just getting it done by a professional.

I hope this reply is still relevant. I have worked both with a professional coding my stuff for sierra, Ninja and OEC as well as coding my own stuff using CQG.

I think Sierra or multicharts may be the most cost effective way to go and i will be happy to provide you with contact info of the programmer i work with via PM.

 

[Bernfeld]

I order my consultants only from professional developers. I ordered 8 different EA and indicators (I use a portfolio of strategies to diversify risks) and gained decent experience in this. There are about 5-6 companies on the market that can really do what you want. In my experience, if you do not want to constantly correct the mistakes of developers, be prepared for the fact that the price of such an EA will be from $ 250, depending on the level of complexity of the trading strategy. I had both positive development experience and negative. For example, the last time I ordered on this site: https://www.nordman-algorithms.com/metatrader-programming/ and was pleased with the results. Turn to professional development companies, take the time to look at the reputation of these companies, and I have no doubt that you will find YOUR developers. Think of it as an investment.

 

[amorcitto]

Honestly, it might not be a bad idea to simply learn how to code in C#. It's a useful skill and will enable you to quickly try your own ideas. Honestly, only about 2% of the ideas that I have tried turned out to be useful. I've written slightly over 10 MB of java source code over the past decade. Many ideas that sounded good, but didn't work.

God, I know that failure rate well, in fact mine is higher.

 

[daxydet]

If I would have been in your place, I would have hired a programmer to get it done for me. Coding is not my cup of tea.