I would like to explore system builder software option. I know about Adaptrader but I don't know if it is highly regraded or not or if it is widely used.
What are some of the similar software like Adaptrader? What's the best one? Any input will be appreciated.
I've used the trial. Nothing special really. Mike Bryant includes some canned indicators. However I did hear that you get 1 or 2 real good systems if you purchase but this was a while ago. Can't say if it's still the case. Put it this way - if it was really that good it would be several thousand dollars.
Another similar software is https://www.thegrailsystem.com
I came across another system builder software but the name evades me right now. I do remember it was priced at $50k tho! Will post if I remember..
I have been using Adaptrader Builder. In short, I use as a tool to give me preliminary feeling on the system I am going to build. It help to save my time in forming the scripts manually. But I do not believe I can get a system to trade right away from the software and making profit.
The software can handle range bars which is a plus. For some reason I cannot get the same results (PF, profit, win %, etc.) as shown in the software when I plugged the script into NinjaTrader, though the equity curves looked similar.
One thing worth to mention is the x-axis of the equity curve chart in the software is based on Trade No. It will make the curve looks better that that with Trading Date as x-axis.
I tested Adaptrade Builder a few years ago and the systems it generates weren’t great when tested.
One of the limitations I encountered was not being able to use user defined functions or indicators.
That said, I believe it comes with one or more extra systems that are supposed to be pretty good when you buy the software. Not sure if that’s true.
aadbosma those charts look like amazing results. Can you tell us what slippage your using and what is the out of sample performance like? My experience with programs like tradingsolutions, neuroshell, adaptrade etc has not been so good. You can waste countless hours searching for a system that seems to work well historically but fails to work well out of sample or only works for a short period of time. That makes me skeptical about all these programs.
I can also vouch for GSB. I ran across it last summer and bought it along with his Portfolio Analyst software and it has become a staple in my arsenal of methodologies for strategy development, testing and validation.
I own and have used other systems development software and development methodologies based on GP such Adaptrade Builder and GSB is in an entirely different league.
The creator, Peter Zwag, is a very seasoned trader who originally built it for his own use, so the software, best practices, research and so on are continually evolving and improving. The documentation can be spotty in areas, there is a bit of a learning curve and the software is a little rough around the edges and could use some polish in terms of UX, but it is well worth the time and effort to learn it - and once it clicks it will become very intuitive.
If you do the trial, I would highly recommend devoting the time to using it, interacting with him, spending time in the forum and watching his YouTube videos (especially the most recent couple making sure to follow along, pause, practice, etc.): [yt]https://www.youtube.com/user/ppzwag[/yt]. He moves a bit fast, so you'll probably need to rewind/rewatch to really get it.
Once you learn how to use it, it is not difficult to create very robust and tradable strategies that perform very well out of sample (meaning even several years out of sample) and in real-time trading.
One of the real keys to robust systems is using "Nth Mode" and Verification to dramatically increase robustness and minimize the possibility of curve-fitting, which he goes through in the most recent publicly posted video (he has a new video he's finishing with some new research he's released for current customers to review prior to posting it).
Plus, in my builds, I have been keeping everything from 1/1/2017 onwards as totally unseen data, so I have a full two years (now 2+) of unseen on which to validate the systems in addition to every "Nth" day being unseen during the build process itself.
Hopefully that helps-
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MetaStock format will not work in GSB (i.e. it can not read MetaStock data files) - you will need to export the data in an ASCII format. As long as the ASCII format is fairly standard, it can be configured to recognize and read it and it will recognize most out of the box.
I do have GSB as well. I can highly recommend to do at least a test install and play around with it. Just for the test installation you will get one or two free systems with it. Since publishing these systems continue to be profitable. I trade one of them profitably :-)
GSB produces Tradestation /Multichart code and I believe the creator is working on generating Ninja code. - Generally GSB is constantly being upgraded and has a new version out at least once a month (too many for my taste).
I have been using GSB as well.
GSB works remarkable well on stock market indices, energies and metals.
The developer gives great support.
If you like the concept of genetic programming, I would recommend giving it a try. It's free for 14 days.
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