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sentdex: Backtest Exception: NoDataAvailable

How do I correct this problem that happens when I submit an algorithm using sentdex to the Contest? If necessary, I can provide more details on the algorithm, but it's based on the Algorithmic Trading tutorial.

Backtest Exception NoDataAvailable: Backtest began on 2016-08-31 and
ended on 2018-08-31, but some of the requested datasets do not have
data for this time. The datasets are: sentdex.sentiment_free:
start=2013-06-01, end=2018-08-02. Your backtest must begin on or
after: 2013-06-01 and end on or before: 2018-08-02.

2 responses

You have to purchase premium datasets if you want to use them in the contest. Sentdex data is only $10/month I believe so might be worth it if you’ve found some decent alpha in that dataset.

That makes sense and I just subscribed to the premium feed. However, I still have one question. Before I bought the premium feed, why was I allowed this import:

from quantopian.pipeline.data.sentdex import sentiment

Why wasn't I forced to use this import?

from quantopian.pipeline.data.sentdex import sentiment_free

Anyway, thanks for the answer.