Best Programming languages

[SDass]

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?

 

[Daniel Duffy]

C++ (for better or worse).
BTW neither unix nor SQL are programming languages

 

[manojv]

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

 

[diegosanaz]

Why Java for Non HFT???

 

[manojv]

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.

 

[Yike Lu]

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.

 

[Barny]

Start with python, then C++.

 

[Daniel Duffy]

Start with python, then C++.

This will be a culture shock, although less so than the Java -> C++ route.

 

[manojv]

For high frequency, we use in memory databases (e.g memcached).

 

[Yike Lu]

Yeah, I glossed over the database part - guy has to learn to walk first.

 

[Bill Sun]

Pick one from each bucket

does it mean if i choose python, i only need to learn 3 languages, otherweise 4?

 

[Yike Lu]

Yes, that is part of its appeal. Although learning one less language is not that much of a benefit.

 

[Daniel Duffy]

Surprising no one has mentioned C# (and VBA) especially for the Excel connection.

 

[Yike Lu]

Right, make that 5 buckets...
C#/VBA - Monitoring/Reporting

 

[Daniel Duffy]

Right, make that 5 buckets...
C#/VBA - Monitoring/Reporting

And Computation.

 

[Barny]

This will be a culture shock, although less so than the Java -> C++ route.

Python -> Java -> C++ is a better route. But I assume the OP is somehow time constrained. If so Python -> C++ is optimal. Starting with C++ is a disaster on every level.

 

[Yike Lu]

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.

 

[Daniel Duffy]

Python -> Java -> C++ is a better route. But I assume the OP is somehow time constrained. If so Python -> C++ is optimal. Starting with C++ is a disaster on every level.

Indeed. You should learn C first. *All* mainstream languages are descended from it.

 

[Barny]

C is a terrible first language. Admittedly better than C++, but still awful. Start with Python. Powerful yet understandable and intuitive.

 

[alain]

start with a language that is going to make you productive.