The hidden secrets of strategy developers

Bob111 · Feb 11, 2012

no. i'm talking about completely different issues. execution itself in particular. IB for example have very good paper trading account. but-can you replicate sub penny orders that are executed right on front of you? partial fills? there is so many algos today on the market that are specifically designed to suck every 0.001 penny out of you,once you step in with your order. go head and try to replicate that

kut2k2 · Feb 11, 2012

Quote from jcl:

I'm new to trading, so please correct me when I'm wrong, but I'm wondering why traders seem to make such big secrets of their strategies?

Other programmer's forums are full of source code snippets with which people explain and exchange ideas, but I see almost no code here, except from what I've posted myself. When someone posts "What do you think of this strategy", I would expect a script of that strategy, but instead there's only some performance figures.

As far as I understand, the usual fear is that the strategy might expire when published, or even, heaven forbid, that someone else might make some money using your idea. But given the trade volume today, posting strategy ideas is not likely to cause expiration. And the disadvantage of this secrecy seems to be that all work alone and don't exchange ideas, and mostly don't accomplish much. I was told that few traders today are able to get a living from automated trading, although that seems not be too difficult. We could at least in the last months live without problem just from profit generated by strategy tests.

Maybe all would benefit from a more open approach - or what do you think?

I've actually discussed some trading strategy stuff on this website. It's brought me more grief than anything else. There are some nice folks here but they are far outnumbered by the nutjobs and sociopaths.

intradaybill · Feb 11, 2012

Quote from jcl:

I'm new to trading, so please correct me when I'm wrong, but I'm wondering why traders seem to make such big secrets of their strategies?

Trading is a battle and your enemy is the other traders. If your enemy knows your battle plan you are finished.

Quote from jcl:

Other programmer's forums are full of source code snippets with which people explain and exchange ideas, but I see almost no code here, except from what I've posted myself. When someone posts "What do you think of this strategy", I would expect a script of that strategy, but instead there's only some performance figures.

A lot of people will make trading systems public hoping that they can fade them if many newbies like you use them.

Quote from jcl:

As far as I understand, the usual fear is that the strategy might expire when published, or even, heaven forbid, that someone else might make some money using your idea.

Success in trading depends primarily on timing of positions. If one is late because others are faster, correction follows and the stop is hit. You must understand these basic concepts before you suggest absurd things.

Quote from jcl:

But given the trade volume today, posting strategy ideas is not likely to cause expiration.

Volume doesn't equate to direction timing. You can have huge volume with a flat closing.

Quote from jcl:

I was told that few traders today are able to get a living from automated trading....

Not all good trading ideas are automated...

Eight · Feb 11, 2012

Quote from jcl:

I'm new to trading, so please correct me when I'm wrong, but I'm wondering why traders seem to make such big secrets of their strategies?

Other programmer's forums are full of source code snippets with which people explain and exchange ideas, but I see almost no code here, except from what I've posted myself. When someone posts "What do you think of this strategy", I would expect a script of that strategy, but instead there's only some performance figures.

As far as I understand, the usual fear is that the strategy might expire when published, or even, heaven forbid, that someone else might make some money using your idea. But given the trade volume today, posting strategy ideas is not likely to cause expiration. And the disadvantage of this secrecy seems to be that all work alone and don't exchange ideas, and mostly don't accomplish much. I was told that few traders today are able to get a living from automated trading, although that seems not be too difficult. We could at least in the last months live without problem just from profit generated by strategy tests.

Maybe all would benefit from a more open approach - or what do you think?

It's just unmoderated. Any @sshole of any sort can, and does, infest any thread. I'm an advocate of everybody learning to spot psychopaths and driving them to a homeless state, not telling them how to make money...

dom993 · Feb 11, 2012

Quote from jcl:
I'm new to trading, so please correct me when I'm wrong, but I'm wondering why traders seem to make such big secrets of their strategies?

This is pretty much the rule in any business, for obvious reasons ... we all would love free money, but the reality is everyone needs to "work" to generate money (at least, beyond the "risk free" interest rate, which seems to be zero to negative these days).

But working in isolation has a lots of limits, you are correct ... so seeking feedback on a strategy's results has merits ... and traders are more willing to contribute then because they do not expose what they feel to be their core edge.

oilfxpro · Feb 11, 2012

Quote from Eight:

It's just unmoderated. Any @sshole of any sort can, and does, infest any thread. I'm an advocate of everybody learning to spot psychopaths and driving them to a homeless state, not telling them how to make money...

The strategies that have always worked are still being used by professional traders.It is no secret , and most of you are deluded to think your edge will be lost.If there are more sellers when bulls are shitting , they will sheet even more ,so no ones edge is lost .When the bears are having a crap ,they will have a pile of dung , and none of your edges are lost. In fact the deluded ass|holes need to realise,the more fighting the bulls on retreat or the more fighting the bears on retreat helps the edge.

jcl · Feb 12, 2012

Quote from Wide Tailz:

Why don't you test a few of those codes posted at other websites and come back with the performance report?

I was not referring to trade strategy source code, but to other source code snippets. F.i. people on our own game programming forum have no problems to exchange ideas and code although they all compete with each other, as this is a zero sum game - just as in most programming areas.

As we started with strategy development, we have indeed looked into some of the few code examples posted on forums like wealth-lab. In the end, we could not use them. If we had, we would have given the author the opportunity to participate. But one can appreciate that at least someone there posted some code and ideas.

HATEtheRisk · Feb 12, 2012

Quote from jcl:

I'm new to trading, so please correct me when I'm wrong, but I'm wondering why traders seem to make such big secrets of their strategies?

Other programmer's forums are full of source code snippets with which people explain and exchange ideas, but I see almost no code here, except from what I've posted myself. When someone posts "What do you think of this strategy", I would expect a script of that strategy, but instead there's only some performance figures.

As far as I understand, the usual fear is that the strategy might expire when published, or even, heaven forbid, that someone else might make some money using your idea. But given the trade volume today, posting strategy ideas is not likely to cause expiration. And the disadvantage of this secrecy seems to be that all work alone and don't exchange ideas, and mostly don't accomplish much. I was told that few traders today are able to get a living from automated trading, although that seems not be too difficult. We could at least in the last months live without problem just from profit generated by strategy tests.

Maybe all would benefit from a more open approach - or what do you think?

I think you are crazy........or stoned.........or both ???

Nothing is for free..........

If something is about making money, its usually very expensive in money or sweat of blood and years of hard work.

HATEtheRisk · Feb 12, 2012

I told only one man, how i trade, and teached him my strategies, only because i wanted to help someone, and i have choosen him.
And i dont regret it, he has a great character and i am sure he is able to make a lot of money with my stuff..........

The next person i will tell my secrets, are only my children.

Nobody else.

this is a personal decision, because in this secrets are too many pain in it, to share it, also its worth billions.........also nobody wants to risk the chance that its stops working.........

But, yeah, lets share all our secrets........

Welcome to 2012, the new age have begun, the mayas were right....

Love each other and the new dimension will be beautiful.

Aliens will arrive soon.......

PEACE

oilfxpro · Feb 12, 2012

Quote from jcl:

I was not referring to trade strategy source code, but to other source code snippets. F.i. people on our own game programming forum have no problems to exchange ideas and code although they all compete with each other, as this is a zero sum game - just as in most programming areas.

As we started with strategy development, we have indeed looked into some of the few code examples posted on forums like wealth-lab. In the end, we could not use them. If we had, we would have given the author the opportunity to participate. But one can appreciate that at least someone there posted some code and ideas.

Stop being deluded about free lunches .You get what you pay for , you pay nothing ,you get nothing .........and all that free stuff is crap.