the DDE link should do it. I get the idea with the order API as well (quotes are already working but in the beta, Orders don't work yet). The visual basic code is almost self explanatory. If you are a programmer that is. This is a big step in the right direction. It is not a fully API, but really, I don't care. Along with the lowest commissions ever, that's really really good. Of course, it is not finished yet, so let's wait for that to judge stability and features, but this should do it for IB users.
Just a note. I know this thread was in reference to IB , but if there are any traders who would like to connect to a direct access order execution system in C++ or Visual Basic, REDIFIX is available right now. Executions can take as little as 200ms(milliseconds) when executing a matched trade on an ECN. We have several traders connecting to us via REDIFIX .If anyone has any interest , you may e-mail me for more information. Gene Weissman Lieber & Weissman Sec., L.L.C. gweissman@stocktrade.net
But you still have to take the exam, don't you? Or do you have an API for that as well . (I think this test is pointless anyway, I have no problem with tests required for people who manage retail customer's money, or give them advice, but why do they require the test when you trade your own funds?) Voodoo
Has anyone been able to getthe excel DDE to work. The standalone download available from the website is not the right version (740 as opposed to 742 required). Running the beta version has the excel option in the Setting menu, however trying to get data through the provided excel interface gets me an error message from excel saying that TWS.exe is not running. What am I missing.
voodoo_invest, You will have to take the Series 7 exam to trade at a professional firm if you enter the orders yourself or by API. The reason for the Series 7 requirement is because we are set up as a L.L.C. and you are professional trader trading firm capital not subject to customer margin. Our structure requires Series 7 licensing. Gene Weissman Lieber & Weissman Sec., L.L.C. gweissman@stocktrade.net
Could someone post some sample codes and/or steps to hook up Excel with DDE ? I know some programming but I am a newbie on DDE TIA
dozu, the online manual has some examples. as for the stand alone, the browser version was made available last night and assuming all goes well, the stand alone will be made available tomorrow. you will be able i program into the system via VB as well. gene, seems like most systems are moving to a common ground. in the end, whether or not someone goes to a professional/prop shop probably will not come down to software but the pros/cons discussed throughout this board. However, if you have a good system and plan to automate your trading then the only major benefit I see would be margin.
you can try the dde link with the beta browser version. do download the dll mentioned on IB website and download the sample excel file. it DOES work for getting bid, ask and last for orders, it is under construction. the beta creates a TWS page for excel, and I guess will send the orders there. it means you can still do things manually and automatically at the same : me like. again, we were not asking something unreasonable imo. And IB is delivering and a bit faster than expected (OK, we had to insist a lot !). I guess quotetracker users will soon be able to hook to IB as well ! This is good. dozu you don't need difficult formula in excel to get the data required. it is really simple. the difficulty is to program it in C++ (VB is easy too). in C++ it is ... challenging. But it can be done.. DDE is a standard, although ugly, protocol. most data providers do offer it, so I am not shocked IB chose it. It's OK. tntneo
Def, I think that is true. The L.L.C. margin is a true benefit to full time professional traders. One of our API traders is in the top ten in terms of P & L at our firm and I think that will grow. API interface could be used for match pairs trading , mechanical trading systems , ARB etc. We do require 50k capital contribution(minimum) for API trading, which allows plenty of buying power for most of our L.L.C. members. If you have 300k in capital, you don't need the leverage , but if you put up 50k to trade, bank the 250k and use your capital efficiently. Gene Weissman Lieber & Weissman Sec., L.L.C. gweissman@stocktrade.net
Are all of these new features windows specific? I love the IB solution because it is platform neutral. I can run at work on my solaris box, at home on my linux box and even on my wife's windows machine. I'm hoping to get a Sharp Zaurus Java PDA for christmas. If that happens, one of the first applications going on is IB's TWS. However, I'd be very very disappointed if all the new features IB is working on are all windows specific. I hope IB hasn't decided to force everyone to use windows just to run their software...