what is the best way for backtest?

Hello, if there are professional traders here who can help a newbie, please say how the back test should look like? I mean what period should we take. I heard that even 3 years of backtest isnt enough. And I also heard that some people were profitable using a strategy for 3-4 years and after 4 years burned their accounts. and another thing taht is important - is a programme used for backtest, because I heard that some programs can not give accurate backtests. thanks for all replies.

The best way to backtest is to forward test.

There is no point in beginning forward testing if some potential is not shown in back testing, basic common sense logic dictates this.

As for the original question, there are no hard and fast rules about length of time to back test over or which software to use, as it all depends on what type of system you are testing and how many degrees of freedom you have. If you have any programming bent at all I would head over to the MQL site and start reading their articles, their software is free & mechanical back testing is by far the better way to go.

thank you guys for replies