“Does TradeStation offer an Order Execution API like Sterling Trader and Interactive Brokers?”

May 6, 2011 admin 4 comments

There have been TradeStation data and order execution APIs that were never released. So currently, TradeStation does not provide APIs like Sterling Trader, Interactive Brokers and several other brokers.

For now, as a workaround, one can interface with OOEL code running in a host window. This requires that TradeStation is open with a chart or grid running a custom analysis technique. Then a DLL can interfaces with the analysis technique to complete a homegrown API. This solution can be a good one, but the extra steps of needing a chart and special analysis technique are considered too cumbersome for many.

A workaround that we have used for years involves issuing orders like the Iceberg application and getting feedback on those orders like the RealtimeRecords application (see link). Both sending orders and receiving of feedback is done through our TSorders.dll (not advertised or sold on our site). It is similar to the TSPlatAuto.dll.

An important point is that the only programmatic trading that TradeStation officially supports is through EasyLanguage and order-entry macros in the platform. Thus with other approaches, there may be little to no recourse with TradeStation if something fails like an order not being sent or feedback not being received.

With that in mind, if one of the API approaches explained above is of interest, let us know.

Questions & Answers none

#1 | Written by Jerry about 13 years ago.

Do you have API to link with MF global so I can auto trade with MF global from tradestation
#2 | Written by admin about 13 years ago.

Hello Jerry,

This topic concerns an API into TradeStation. To go the other direction, out of TradeStation to MF Global, they provide a FIX API.

We don’t offer a pre-canned solution for MF Global, but FIX is an industry standard protocol. Even though not trivial, it is a straightforward project.
#3 | Written by pracplay about 12 years ago.

You may want to look at Bridge.

http://www.pracplay.com/products/bridge

Bridge provides an enhancement to TradeStation (and many other platforms) that allow you to access order execution apis of 15+ other brokers in a single interface.

It also gives you aggregate commands to make doing common entry and exit signal management easier. (in addition to fine grained access).
#4 | Written by admin about 12 years ago.

We appreciate your comments. However, this post is about sending order to TradeStation from external applications. Bridge is about sending orders to other brokers from TradeStation (i.e. going in the opposite direction).

We point this out, so as not to confuse readers. Oddly enough sending orders away from TradeStation is not too difficult for tech savvy traders, and maybe Bridge is a tool that some would appreciate, so thanks again for your comment.

!QCL Solutions

“Does TradeStation offer an Order Execution API like Sterling Trader and Interactive Brokers?”

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