Quantopian's community platform is shutting down. Please read this post for more information and download your code.
Back to Community
Question about how often program runs and how it works.
Austin Moss
posted

Hello all,

I am just getting used to creating some very basic algorithms using Quantopian. I have an idea for an intra-day trading alogorithm that I have used manually with some pretty good success, however, it relies on being able to make decisions in real-time. I am a little confused as to how the Quantopian programs work and I hope someone can fill me in.

My question is: When you enter specific information that needs to be filled in order to make an order, is the program looking for these requirements all the time or does the program only look for data once a minute--essentially leaving a minute of time where the program will not make a trade even if all requirements are met?

Thank you for any and all help!

3 responses
Grant Kiehne

The code executes on the whole minute, when new data are available. Orders (and order cancellations, I think) are sent asynchronously, though, as soon as they are encountered in code execution.

Austin Moss

Great, thanks for the reply.

Is it possible to perform orders in Quantopian that cancel if the other is filled, i.e, you order to buy AAPL @ 100.00, but at the same time want to put in two additional orders that will cancel if the other is filled like an order to sell AAPL @ 102.00 or sell AAPL at 99.00. Essentially to take your gain if it reaches that point, but also protecting yourself from downside with the stop-loss order.

Grant Kiehne

I'm not sure, but I think not. I suggest having a look at the help page. All of the order types are described there, along with guidance on how to check on order status. Note also that when live trading with Interactive Brokers and Robinhood, all orders are cancelled automatically at the end of the trading day. This behavior is not replicated in the backtester; you'd need to add your own code to cancel everything.

About Quantopian
Careers
Community
Events
Documentation
Academia
Lectures
Status
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy

The material on this website is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation to buy, or a recommendation or endorsement for any security or strategy, nor does it constitute an offer to provide investment advisory services by Quantopian.

In addition, the material offers no opinion with respect to the suitability of any security or specific investment. No information contained herein should be regarded as a suggestion to engage in or refrain from any investment-related course of action as none of Quantopian nor any of its affiliates is undertaking to provide investment advice, act as an adviser to any plan or entity subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, individual retirement account or individual retirement annuity, or give advice in a fiduciary capacity with respect to the materials presented herein. If you are an individual retirement or other investor, contact your financial advisor or other fiduciary unrelated to Quantopian about whether any given investment idea, strategy, product or service described herein may be appropriate for your circumstances. All investments involve risk, including loss of principal. Quantopian makes no guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of the views expressed in the website. The views are subject to change, and may have become unreliable for various reasons, including changes in market conditions or economic circumstances.