Since searching C++ gives you no results... I want to learn C++ and how to use it towards trading. Do I learn it from the beginning? Is there specific books that relate it to automated trading? Basically what I am asking is where do I start? Book Suggestions, website suggestions are welcome.
I think C# is the way to go now. C# filts well with the modular, even-based trading environment. It is also easier to learn than C++ in my opinion. Both NinjaTrader and OpenQuant are based on C#.
Microsoft gives away c++ and c# compilers for free. You might Google search "c++ tutorial" and look for something with code examples. I just start writing programs and keep revising, improving them.
I'm a software professional and have used C++ almost exclusively for 15 years. I have had extensive exposure to other languages, and I must observe that C++ really isn't that great. Someone learning programming from scratch would find it much harder to learn that other more modern languages. My office mate concurs that C# might be a better starting point for new development if you are starting from scratch. Why did you settle on C++ with other choices around like Java, etc?
i have looked around for jobs in the trading automation area and everyone seems to want c++ experience. If i am applying either language to existing brokers' software. for example interactive brokers or trade station which would u suggest?
intro -- Unless there is a very specific reason that you want to use c++ it would be better for you to learn c# instead. Obviously that is my opinion, but i believe it strongly enough to state it as fact. Step 1 -- Go here: http://www.microsoft.com/express/download/#webInstall and get c# and install it (hint: it comes with crap-loads of examples and its free). Step 2 -- Research an APress or O'Reilly C# book on amazon.com (do not be tempted by other publishers). You want the physical book not an e-book, it is much easier to reference and learn from. Free sources on the web are great, but sometimes they have poor programming techniques and do not follow a best practices approach, and that is where a real book will come in handy. Step 3 -- After you have written a few of your own programs and understand classes and program structure get NinjaTrader (its free) because it is written in C# and all indicators/studies are also programmed in C#. good luck. hope this helps, ~g
I can't speak for tradestation, but IB's api is C++ or Java for socket programming (preferred) . There are ActiveX bindings to VB, C and Excel but I don't think they're considered "industrial strength". IB's TWS and Oanda's FxTrade are both Java apps.
Haha. But if I want to quickly do something in software, the shortest path for me is C++. It's cuz it's wired into my brain. The real reason I discourage n00bs from learning C++ is keep the supply of C++ programmers small. Keeps my costing rate high. (J/K)