kappert

Have been asking myself similar questions. Without any theory to back this up, just common sense: I use the results of my optimizations with the best total net profit. When I see that they at same time produced the best efficiency, I know that I am on to something. When optimization results with best total net profit and best efficiency differ widely, I become hesitant. More trades means more work (unless it is an automated system). Could you actually perform all these trades in real life with the correct timing? Of course you should factor in transaction costs. 49 trades may cost significantly more than 15 trades. This can turn the whole result around. And I agree: Longer data series are required for meaningful back-testing.

Thanks a lot for the pointer to NeoTicker. This surely is an interesting product. Grid is hot! Unfortunately it does not support Java, but it will be on my extended list, because it works with .NET: "You can use an external development tools such as Microsoft Visual Studio or Borland Delphi to develop trading systems, with full access to NeoTicker® data and services via IDL interface. NeoTicker® supports both COM and Microsoft .NET 2.0" I will have to see how easily and well it integrates custom code written in C#. BTW: Today I have just learned that the optimizer of the product I am currently using (tradesignal.com) will be overhauled in the next major release. It only supports a scripting languag (a clone of EasyLanguage), but as I have written a lot of code for it already, I will see how well things work in the future. Aside from the somewhat buggy optimizer it is really good.

Can anybody recommend a charting/analysis software with the following features: 1) Writing custom indicators and trading systems in Java. Best with debugging support in Eclipse/NetBeans. 2) Very strong optimizer for backtesting that fully utilizes multiple CPUs/cores (many threads). 3) No obligation to open a trading account (which rules out TradeStation and TWS). I don't want a broker in a foreign country. I am a software developer and I work with Java daily. I am using an EasyLanguage clone at the moment and find it rather limited and slow. C# would be an option as well, altough I'd prefer Java. But if a .NET based product has an excellent optimizer that would be interesting, too. So far I found these platforms for C# and would also appreciate comments about them: rightedgesystems openquant wealth-lab