!QCL Solutions

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.

Custom Option trading solutions that reference the multiple data streams of an option chain can be developed, given the standardization in option symbology. !QCL Solutions has put together custom and robust automated options trading systems that auto-locate options based on the underlying symbol, date and price. If you choose to attempt this on you own, be aware that such development efforts can be quite involved and error prone.

Currently TradeStation 9.0 Object Oriented EasyLanguage does not support programmatic access to option chain data. For more information, refer to a statement from TradeStation here: https://www.tradestation.com/Discussions/Topic.aspx?Topic_ID=106504#542586, stating that “EasyLanguage does not have access to the option chain of a given underlying symbol.” Following the statement, there is a link to an enhancement suggestion poll that may be of interest.

Addendum:
Since the posting above we have released OptionsX on the TradeStation Strategy Network. With it you have programmatic access to option chain data. OptionsX comes with over 40 tools for options trading and analyses relative to underlying symbols from TradeStation Charts, RadarScreen and other hosting windows.

You can quickly change chart intervals with TradeStation macros which can by typed, associated with hot keys or associated with toolbar buttons. For example, one could have a toolbar like the following: 

You cannot add to the following drop-down, in the latest TradeStation 9.0 (Update 8521) platform:

Intervals Drop-Down

For the ability to customize the Interval drop-down list, shown at the top, you may want to request such a feature here: https://www.tradestation.com/Discussions/Forum.aspx?Forum_ID=215&selCategory=0

We often receive requests to fix EasyLanguage code developed for a customer by another EasyLanguage Specialist. Such projects raise issues like the following:

1. The customer may be sharing code, owned by another party, that was intended to be confidential.
2. The other developer may have been denied proper compensation. We do not wish to become involved in any related disputes or become the next developers to be stiffed.
3. Developing original code, rather than modifying other code, is more cost efficient and straightforward to support.

If however a customer is searching for the right relationship, we are happy to help. In the business of systematic trading, there are costs of doing business which involve system development, system enhancements and ongoing maintenance. The development costs do not have to be exorbitant, but should be understood as ongoing. Otherwise, the likelihood of trading success is low. We at !QCL Solutions want your success.

There is a common complaint that developers don’t have “skin in the game”. Thus they provide the bare minimum and demand immediate payment. That has been a consistent theme. I have yet to hear of a specialist where the customer did not complain that they were hassled for payments. Trust me, we have been on both sides and understand customer and developer points of view.

At !QCL Solutions we want the right relationship. We avoid situations where a collections process may be necessary. That is why we are upfront with our retainer charge. We want clients, primarily institutional, who understand the value we bring, are committed to an ongoing business relationship and are capable of capitalizing on the services provided.

As an EasyLanguage Engineer at TradeStation and as a Specialist now, I have had frequent requests to capture and test the plotted signals of EasyLanguage Indicators that clients purchase from other 3rd parties.

Ultimately in the coding world, the question is not can we, but is it worth the effort. TradeStation does not yet expose values of other indicators through a class structure, as with the AccountsProvider and PriceSeriesProvider components in the 9.0 platform. So determining plot values of a protected indicator would be very difficult, unless the indicator writes those values to accessible memory, to files or exposes the values through alerts.

The best way to gain access to indicator values would be for the 3^rd-party developer to provide them through an EasyLanguage function. Then the indicator outputs could be used by the client however they like, in their own custom indicator or strategy. In a strategy they could back-test for effectiveness in historical trade simulations.

Unfortunately 3^rd-party providers of trading indicators rarely if ever provide the signals through functions, or in strategies. Generally they sell an indicator and an education on using it. But before moving forward with any 3^rd-party “tradable” indications, if there is no function or strategy with which you can test the signals you should ask yourself why.

A 3^rd party may rightly say that their indicator is for real time only, is multi-asset, or is otherwise a system that cannot be well back-tested with an EasyLanguage strategy. Whatever is said, there is always a way, even if it is only by forward-testing. And if the 3^rd-party cannot provide audited results that at minimum FINRA would approve, be very careful.

I have seen countless systems where they show pretty pictures and neat software. They promise that numerous PhDs and supercomputers have been put to task. They have Wall Street professionals on staff, etc. All of that is meaningless and is actually greater evidence of a confidence scheme, than of a truly professional trading system. If they can’t support performance projections or give you a way to test their system independently, stay away!