What are you talking about. A programming language is just a framework, they don't make money. Show me where there was research on profitability of R vs Python.
Here's a workable example: https://www.quantstart.com/articles/Backtesting-a-Moving-Average-Crossover-in-Python-with-pandas If anyone reading this doesn't know WTF is going on, and wants to learn to code, go enrol in your local community college and take a basic intro to programming class. The above link's article is not rocket science, and is a good gauge as to how far along you are.
I'd introduce you but you all may bs her. It's in wikpedia, reading it doesn't mean everyone would understand or become an expert.
If you're trading with Interactive Brokers, I suggest you check out QTPyLib - a Pythonic algorithmic trading library that handles everything for you, including market data retrieval, trading logic, order management and reporting. Now granted, I'm a bit biased (as I'm the one who wrote it), but I still think you'd want to check it out GitHub page: https://github.com/ranaroussi/qtpylib Documentation website: http://qtpylib.io/docs/latest Hope you'd like it...
From my experience; it is best to start somewhere; Java, Python, R, or whatever. Keep the program simple: receive data, do some math, spit an order to the market, and execute it, and then follow up on the position till you decide to close it. I highly recommend you use an existing platform first; such as Metatrader for Forex, or Tradestation for stocks. I personally used Metatrader for a while; then wrote my own java app. but believe me; it's not easy to write a full system; I am a software engineer full time; and it took me nearly 3 years to perfect the platform.
Interesting. I am a programmer with Metatrader experience. Just wondering why you had to go to java? Any specific reason to move away from Mt4?
metatrader is fine for running a strategy or two. Once you start running few; the system will start to slow down, and execution latency adds up a lot. Metatrader is single threaded and can only process one order per 200ms. market data also has latency; especially during peak times. The other major reason why I moved to java; is debugging a trading system.
Good question. It's a good idea to understand programming if you want to trade systematically - even if you have no intention of actually building your trading system from scratch. So learning a language for which there are extensive finance libraries to aid building a system and to learn the ropes is invaluable. And you are right, Python is one of those languages - but it is not the only one. Starting at Quantopian is a great idea, even if you have no intention of trading stocks. It will show you what the foundation of a trading system looks like. And with that knowledge you can incrementally augment your design and development skills to build what you like yourself. And in any case, I understand you can now use your own data to integrate other products. Try to keep your systems simple (whilst avoiding rookie mistakes). With luck you have a chance of succeeding. Above all, reign in your expectations. Consider your efforts a resounding success if you manage to retain your capital intact ove your first 5 year period. Targetting 20% returns per month will only guarantee a blowout. Pretty quickly - if that's any consolation.