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backtest data obsolete

hi all,
I am a newbie, so hope my question is not too silly. I am testing a simple algo on SPY working on daily data (spy_history = data.history(context.spy , 'close' , 200 , '1d')).
What I find strange is that the backtest is run on old data, 2011 and 2012. Am I doing anything wrong?
Thanks
Luca

4 responses

When creating a backtest the default date range is 1-4-2011 thru 7-30-2012. That is probably what you are seeing?

The dates can be changed by clicking in the date range box in the upper right of the IDE backtest screen. A calendar will drop down which one can either click to change the dates or simply type in the dates you wish to backtest over. Backtest can be run over any dates from 1-3-2002 thru the last full trading day.

If that's not it, please reply. There may be some other issue.

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thank you very much Dan, that is exactly the range I see, but I cant find where to change the values :(

The values are changed in the IDE before running your backtest. Take a look at this help page https://www.quantopian.com/help#backtests. You can set the start date, end date, starting capital, and trading calendar in the boxes in the upper right of the page (highlighted in red in the help docs).

thanks again, all done!