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Traders are initially attracted in using the TradeStation platform because of its ability to back test-trading strategies. Also, it allows the trading of equities, futures, foreign exchange and options into a single platform only. If you are looking for a trading platform or software, this article will help you decide on whether or not to go for the TradeStation platform.

In order to do back test trading strategies, the TradeStation platform uses Easy language to write the codes. Do not be deceived for even if the name of the coding used is Easy Language, it is proven to be a lot harder than it sounds. For traders who have the ability to read programming of C++, then it will be of no problem to them. For those who is not knowledgeable in programming, then the assistance of third party programmers is much needed. The developers supported by the TradeStation will not cost that much compared to other third party programmers. The best option is to ask for help among friends or family who are skilled in programming to write the basic strategies. It will be free of charge plus traders will have the confidence of not being ripped off or scammed.

Traders also have the option to write their own strategy. The TradeStation are offering basic guide to Easy Language for a fee. For traders who have the luxury of time and for those who want added knowledge, they can purchase the Easy Language tutorial for $149. For those who want the program only for trading purposes, then it is better to leave the developing to the capable hands of the programmers, especially for those hard to write exit codes.

The TradeStation is big when it comes to historical data. There are as much as 25 years worth of historical data embedded in the platform depending on the investment vehicle of choice. For the foreign exchange data, there is four years of intra-day available. For Eurex futures and index data, eight years of historical information is at hand. For equity traders, there is sixteen years of intra-day data that can be analyzed. The most amounts of stored data amounting to 25 years is available for futures trading.

Traders have the option to study all the data presented to them but if they are serious in their testing and trading strategies, it is best to be abreast of past data as well as that of the present. The market data available in TradeStation will allow back testing strategies in bull, bear and even flat markets. Traders have the capacity to check how they would have faired in the bull market of the 1990s, in the slope down of 2001 and 2002, and if they would have done better in the economic breakdown of 2003.

The TradeStation also offers setting up of automatic trading. In the trading business, even though mechanical trading is now widely accepted, it is still not an advisable practice. Nonetheless, the automatic trading technique in TradeStation can be quite impressive. Traders would just have to use it wisely. They must remember that before they activate it, their strategy should already be working properly and has defined stop rules. The TradeStation’s platform is the first of its kind to scan and execute orders based on fundamental factors and traders can take advantage of it in the automatic feature.