I agree, off the shelf software doesn't fit any better than off the shelf trading systems.
An interesting thought looking at this thread and the number of programmers who are also traders is that an OpenSource trading platform might be interesting. Some of the features of an OpenSource trading framework would include:
1. MFC C++ object oriented design so that it could run on Windows and Linux (using WINE).
2. Standard price charts with candlesticks, OHLC bars, P&F, spread support.
3. Multiple window support to take full advantage of multiple monitors.
4. An abstract 'indicator' object so that new C++ indicators could be added quickly.
5. A 'data source' object that can be extended to use IB, eSignal, QCharts, etc.
6. A data model that would allow multiple data sources such as 'backfill' from Tradestation and real time data from IB.
7. Point and Click trade execution via IB or other trade API.
8. It would use an OpenSource database like mySQL or Postgre so that indicators are only calculated one time. As indicators become more complex and more charts are displayed this is more important. Advanced technologies such as Neural Nets and GA could interface with the chart application through the common database.
9. Multi-thread support for multi-CPUs. All of today's charting/trading clients do not take advantage of multi-CPU computers which are easily within reach of any trader.
10. Chart layers so that multiple charts can 'layer' over others. Such as Market Profile over Candlesticks.
11. Basic 'broker' object to backtest trading strategies (not so interesting to me...).
12. A scripting package that could import scripts from EasyLanguage and Wealth-Lab (low priority - doable - but very interesting).
13. Did I forget something?
The goal would be to eliminate the need to do all of this basic 'stuff' to get your private/custom/special 'wiz-bang' system up and running.
Interesting... The problem is programmers tend to be individualistic, and traders also tend to be even more of an individualist type of personality. Team cooperation could suffer.
However if any of you guys want to start an OpenSource charting/trading project I would be glad to contribute!!!!
Are there any OpenSource charting projects out there? The ones I have seen were very poor.
ramora