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Best Programming languages

SDass

SDass

Joined
2/12/13
Messages
6
Points
11
If you wanted to start with one programming language for quants which one is best Perl, C, Matlab, Python, SQL, UNIX? It seems different trading firms use different languages. Can anyone provide any clarity on the preference of firms like citadel, jane street, susq, optiver and smaller quant/algo/hft firms in chicago/ny/london?
 
Depends.

For HFT/low latency, C++; // avoid metaprogramming and too much abstraction
For Non-HFT strategies: Java
For Strategy/Algo Development: R, Python, Matlab whatever as long as you can convert to the above two when you get it working.

You need to know the first two and at least 1-2 of the strategy development languages
 
Java open source CEP + most older trading systems (pre-HFT) are coded in Java. Lots of legacy code -- that's life in the real world folks. Software archeology.
 
For sufficiently complex operations, you'd want up to four languages.

C/C++ - low level infrastructure
Perl/Python/Ruby/bash - glue code/operations
R/Matlab/Python - research
SQL/NoSQL - data access

Pick one from each bucket. Prioritize based on job interest.
 
Yeah, I glossed over the database part - guy has to learn to walk first.
 
Yes, that is part of its appeal. Although learning one less language is not that much of a benefit.
 
Surprising no one has mentioned C# (and VBA) especially for the Excel connection.
 
Right, make that 5 buckets...
C#/VBA - Monitoring/Reporting
 
Actually, I'd say Python + C at the same time. It helps to compare and contrast the two, no culture shock that way. Then C++ after reasonable C level.
 
C is a terrible first language. Admittedly better than C++, but still awful. Start with Python. Powerful yet understandable and intuitive.
 
start with a language that is going to make you productive.
 
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