cTrader & cAlgo - The New Standards in FX Trading Platform

Dear All,

If you're for some reason dissatisfied with MetaTrader but still want a powerful trading platform with easy charting and custom indicators / robots, then Spotware’s cTrader / cAlgo combo could be an interesting opportunity for you to explore.


Here the platform looks like very similar to the default view of the MetaTrader charts :

http://www.earnforex.com/blog/wp-con...03/cTrader.jpg


cTrader trading platform is a custom built trading platform for use by ECN (Electronic Communication Network) forex brokers, developed by cTrader Ltd. a London based company. With depth-of-market display built-in for every trading instrument.

cTrader platform has an extremely sleek and streamlined design. It is arguably easier to navigate than MetaTrader platform and anyone who has used any of the popular retail trading platforms should be able to get to grips with the platform in no time.


cTrader

cTrader platform offers two main functions which is execution and charting. cTrader platform is visually clean and user-friendly. It is light weight and installation is quick and easy. There is a very short learning curve and traders can get familiar with the cTrader platform quite quickly.

Trading can also be directly executed by the BUY/SELL buttons directly on the chart and stops and take profit levels can be adjusted by moving the horizontal lines directly on the charts.

In order to execute the trades, Traders need to click on any pair on the left side of the trading platform which expands and enables traders to place an order. The orders can be placed by a single or double click and instantly executed as a market order. However, for every trade, entry/stop loss and other such factors have to be placed as separate orders. The pending orders are displayed individually so it makes it easy for traders to track their orders. Other tabs include positions, orders and deals thus making for an organized display.

cTrader platform also comes with a ‘Favorites’ tab where traders can add their preferred currency pairs to trade. The ‘Favorites’ tab makes it easy to place the order entry.

One feature that sets the cTrader platform apart is the depth of market features that are built into the platform. cTrader platform is the first retail FX platform to feature three types of Depth of Mark information. The standard depth of Market feature allows traders to see aggregated quotes from the brokerages liquidity providers helping traders get to grips with market dynamics. The price depth of market feature works as an executable ladder system perfect for both precision entry and for those use scalping strategies.

Finally, the VWAP Depth of Market feature allows traders to set different trading volumes in order to see the expected VWAP as well as the expected spread, this feature is targeted at those who trade larger volumes. The impressive depth of market features are a real selling point of cTrader platform and will certainly appeal to many Traders.


cAlgo

The cAlgo platform is accessible directly from the cTrader platform by clicking on the ‘cAlgo’ button. For first time users, there is a small installation procedure and the cAlgo also has its own direct executable desktop Icon.

cAlgo is the extention to cTrader platform which enables Traders to build automated trading strategies to be executed via the cTrader platform. With an in-built library of various functions, traders can make use of cAlgo to build trading strategies from the most simplest of ones (such as moving average cross over) to more advanced strategies.

cAlgo allows Traders to create robots (cBots) and custom indicators, in a very similar way to how Traders can program Expert Advisors using MetaTraders MetaQuotes Language. The cTrader platform supports the C# and .NET framework and it is possible to create robots (cBots) and indicators using almost every imaginable reference point.

Using executable files : For Commercial developers or those who do not wish to show the source code, cAlgo offers importing and exporting of the executable cAlgo files.

These trading platform uses C# for the algorithm coding, can expect some level of familiarity with the code if you have any experience with C#. Unfortunately... will find almost no explanations or descriptions for the APIs and classes specific to trading.


cTrader + cAlgo

Actually, there are two platforms — cTrader and cAlgo but they both can be connected to the same account simultaneously, virtually making them just two windows of one platform. You can use robots only in cAlgo, but charting is rather crippled there. You can not use robots in cTrader but charting there is fully functional. You can use custom indicators in both cAlgo and cTrader.


Web and Mobile Support

The platform has been designed with the rise of Mobile and Tablet trading in mind, this means that there are versions of the platform available for both Android and iOS devices. The Mobile and Tablet versions of the platform are pretty impressive featuring much of the functionality included in the Desktop / Laptop version.

In addition to Mobile support there is a Web based version of the platform again which compares very favourably too much of the competition. All in all cTrader provides great support for those wishing to trade from a range of a different operating devices and has certainly provided great support for those wishing to trade from Smartphones and Tablets.



SUMMARY

Like MT4/MT5 it has some predisposition for success : cTrader is FREE for Traders & Brokers PAY for Server software, offers customizable charts, coding language and an IDE to create custom indicators.
And expert advisors called 'robots' or 'cBots', including organized community (forum, code base and documentation) for their development.

The Platform combines a superior liquidity proposition versus single-counterparty trading and a truly innovative platform design. However, cTrader Platform is available through Brokers and not to the end-user just yet. Like MT4 / Mt5, cTrader is designed for brokers to use to offer their clients.

Compatible Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 and is also available via Smartphone apps and browser based interface.

And started growing in popularity and a number of industry commentators have speculated that the platform might surpass MetaQuotes MetaTrader platform in terms of popularity.

Time will tell...

Ironically just trying out cTrader on a demo with a view to switching. So far a very positive experience.

cTrader - Menu & Function


Main Menu

New order
After clicking ‘New Order’ the ‘Create Order’ window appears, through which you can open new ‘Market’, ‘Limit’ or ‘Stop’ orders.

New chart
This is a command execution that opens a new chart from the dropdown list after you have selected the currency pair. Alternatively, you can enter the symbol name in the ‘Search Field’.

Login
Opens a ‘Log In’ tab to log into with your ‘Live Account’ or ‘Practice Account’.
Open Practice Account ? You can create a new ‘Practice Account’ to simulate trading in real market conditions. No funds are required.

Help
You can access the cTrader Help Guide from the main menu or by pressing the F1 shortcut.
Exit cTrader ? Shuts down the cTrader.


Toolbars

The main commands used in the terminal are duplicated in the toolbars as buttons. By default, the toolbars are placed under the main menu.

Account Drop-down List Top
By using the ‘Accounts Dropdown List’, you can choose from the list of all of your available accounts, if at a later date you wish to delete an account from this menu, you can click the small ‘x’ to the right of the account number. When you sign in to an account through the ‘Accounts’ window there is an option to ‘Remember Password’ :

1. If this option is enabled, you can easily switch between your accounts and you will be signed in automatically.
2. If you do not have this option enabled, a ‘Sign In’ screen will appear for you to enter your ‘Password’ for that specific account.
3. If there is an error with either your internet connection or if your ‘Password’ has been changed, the ‘Accounts’ window will come up displaying the appropriate error message.

Account Button Top
The account window contains the ‘Sign In’ and ‘Practice Account’ popup tabs.

Chart Preferences Menu Top
Charts contain the following: ‘Preferences Menu’, ‘QuickTrade’ buttons, ‘Price Axis and ‘Time Axis’.
The ‘Price Axis’ lists the prices of the exchange rate of a currency pair that’s currently being traded. The ‘Time Axis’ lists the dates and times that the exchange rate was changing, according to the selected time-frame.

The ‘Preferences Menu’ includes the following options :

Zoom In - Zoom Out Top
This tool is used to zoom in or out of the chart. There are six levels of zoom.

Time-frime Top
You can select from fourteen different time-frames ranging from one minute (m1) to one month (M1).

Chart Type Top
With this button you can select the type of chart to be displayed. You can select from ‘Line’, ‘Candlestick’ and ‘Bar’ charts.

Quicktrade Buttons And Vulome Selector Top
You can trade directly from the chart by setting a volume in the ‘Volume Selector’ and using the chart ‘QuickTrade’ buttons to send a ‘Market Order’ request.

Chart Viewing Options Top
With this button you can select the elements that you want to see or hide on the chart. You can select to show or hide : ‘Positions’, ‘Orders’, ‘Volume’, ‘Grid’ and/or ‘Bid/Ask Price Line’.

Insert Indicator Top
Use this button to insert indicators into your chart. Choose from a variety of indicators such as: ‘Trend’, ‘Oscillators’, ‘Volatility’, ‘Volume’ etc.

Color Options Top
You can change the chart’s colors by using this menu :

1. Background – Changes the color of the chart’s background.
2. Foreground – Changes the color of the chart’s ‘Time Axis and ‘Price Axis’.
3. Grid – Changes the color of the grid.
4. Bull Outline – Changes the color of bullish candlestick’s outline.
5. Bear Outline – Changes the color of bearish candlestick’s outline.
6. Bull Fill – Changes the color of the fill in a bullish candlestick.
7. Bear Fill – Changes the color of the fill in a bearish candlestick.
8. Restore Defaults – Removes any changes that have been done to the chart’s initial colors

Indicators And Objects Top
The user can see a drop-down list of all the ‘Indicators’ and objects that are imposed on a chart. The user can remove any object or ‘Indicator’ by clicking the ‘x’ button on the object in the list.

Scrollbar Top
Use the scrollbar to scroll through the Chart.

Set Distance Button Top
This is a dragable control that is used to set the distance between the end of the chart and the ‘Price Axis’.

Quick Links Menu Bar Top
The ‘Quick Links’ menu bar is located on the top right-hand corner of the platform and contains the following menu options: ‘Create New Order’, ‘Choose QuickTrade Mode’, ‘Sounds On/Off’, Default Layout changer and ‘Full Screen’.

Create New Order Top
By selecting this menu option a pop up window will open in which you can create a ‘Market Order’, ‘Limit Order’ or ‘Stop Order’.

Single Quicktrade Mode

Single-click Mode Top
‘Single-Click’ ‘QuickTrade’ mode allows you to send ‘Market Order’ requests to your broker by clicking once on the ‘BUY’ (bid) or ‘SELL’ (ask) buttons located on the ‘Market Watch’ or directly on the charts. You can also close an opened position by single-clicking on the ‘Close’ button on the ‘Trade Watch’.

Double-click Mode Top
‘Double-Click’ ‘QuickTrade’ mode allows you to send ‘Market Order’ requests to your broker by double-clicking on the ‘BUY’ (bid) or ‘SELL’ (ask) buttons located on the ‘Market Watch’ or directly on the charts. You can also close a position by double-clicking the close button on the ‘Trade Watch’.

Disabled Mode Top
If you disable ‘QuickTrade’ mode, a ‘Create Order’ ‘Order Screen’ will appear each time you single-click on the ‘QuickTrade’ buttons located on the ‘Market Watch’ or on the chart. If you click on the close button located on the ‘Trade Watch’ a ‘Modify Screen’ will appear.

Sounds On / Off Top
This feature turns on or off all audible sound effects.

Default Layout Changer Top
This feature allows you to select through 3 basic layout choices.

Full Screen Top
Switch between ‘Full Screen’ and ‘Normal Screen’ modes.

Line Studies
Unlike the other toolbars, the ‘Line Studies’ toolbar can be moved and parked around the chart as the user prefers and contains twelve options: ‘Multiple Chart Mode’, ‘Single Chart Mode’, ‘Mouse Cursor’, ‘Crosshair’, ‘Crosshair – Price Snapshot’, ‘Vertical Line’, ‘Horizontal Line’, ‘Trend Line’, ‘Equidistant Price Channel’, ‘Fibonacci Retracement – Expansion’, and ‘Colour Picker’ for indicators and objects.

Multiple Chart Mode
Displays multiple charts in a grid pattern.

Single Chart Mode
Reverts back to ‘Single Chart Mode’ with your other opened symbols tabbed.

Mouse Cursor
With the ‘Mouse Cursor’ option selected you can move the chart itself and any objects drawn on it.

Crosshair
The ‘Crosshair’ option enables you to pin-point exact areas in time and market price and measure the difference (Chart units/Pips/Price) from the starting point.

Crosshair Price Snapshot
By selecting this option you can click anywhere on the chart to display a price snapshot of the currency pair’s time/date, open, high, low, close and volume values.

Vertical Line
The ‘Vertical Line’ can be used to define periods. One point must be chosen to impose the ‘Vertical Line’ on the chart. After the line is set, you can easily edit the positioning of the line by clicking on it and positioning it elsewhere.

Horizontal Line
The ’Horizontal Line’ can be used to mark support and resistance. One point must be chosen to impose the ‘Vertical line’ on the chart. After the line is set, you can edit the positioning of the line by clicking on it and dragging it elsewhere.

Trend Line
The ‘Trend Line’ helps you to explore market trends. Two points must be chosen for a ‘Trend Line’ to be imposed on the chart. Click the left mouse button and hold, while dragging to your preferred position. Once the left mouse button is released the line will be set. After the line is set you can edit the positioning of the line by clicking on it and dragging it to another position. If you click on either end of the line, you will be able to edit the positioning of that point on the chart.

Channel
Lines of the ‘Channel’ are parallel. Two points must be chosen for a ‘Channel’ to be imposed on the chart. Click the left mouse button and hold, while dragging to your preferred position. After the left mouse button is released, the two parallel lines will be set. After the lines are set, you can edit their position by clicking anywhere on the bottom line and dragging to the preferred position. Both lines will move simultaneously. If you click on either end of the upper line, you will be able to edit the positioning of that point on the chart. Both lines will move simultaneously. To set the distance between the lines, click on the middle (highlighted) of the upper line and drag till the preferred distance is set.

Fibonacci Retracement Levels
One point must be fixed to impose ‘Fibonacci Retracement Levels’. Click the left mouse button and hold, while dragging to your preferred position. Drag horizontally to adjust the width and vertically to adjust height. After the ‘Fibonacci Retracement Levels’ are set, you can move it around the chart by clicking on either of the lines. To edit the width and height click on one of the highlighted points.

Colour Picker for Indicators and Objects
Change the default colours of your imposed objects from the colour pallet.

Status Bar
The ‘Status Bar’ located on the footer of the cTrader platform indicates the following: ‘Trading Sessions’, ‘Server Time’ and ‘In/Out’ traffic in kB.

Trading Sessions
Indicates the market trading session that is currently open (e.g. London, Frankfurt, Singapore etc.).

Server Time
Indicates the current server time (server time is set to GMT+2)

In/Out Traffic
Indicates the platforms’ both incoming and outgoing traffic in kB.


Market Data Window

The ‘Symbols’ Tab

Expanding a Symbol
To expand any ‘Symbol’ (Currency Pair), simply select one of the listed ‘Symbol’ tabs to view more information, as seen here.

Adding Symbols to ‘Favorites’
Once expanded, you can add a ‘Symbol’ to your list of ‘Favorites’, by simply selecting the ‘Star’ shaped icon, displayed in that particular currency-pair window.

‘Symbol Information’
By clicking this button – a popup will appear, displaying detailed information about the selected currency pair, as seen below:

New Chart
When clicked, a new chart of the particular currency pair will be opened.

New Order
When clicked, an ‘Order Screen’ tab will appear, with a particular currency pair already selected, from which you will be able to create a new order.

‘Daily High’ and ‘Daily Low’
These two fields display the lowest and the highest point of the particular currency pairs’ price, from the past 24 hours.

Volume Selector
A drop-down list will display a wide selection of different ascending list of volumes. Alternatively, you can enter you own values.

Limit Order
‘Buy/Sell Limit Order’ can be set, after you have chosen the appropriate volume in the ‘Volume Selector’ and a price from the ‘Buy/Sell Limit Order’ list. Until it is executed, the ‘Limit Order’ will be displayed in the ‘Orders’ section in the ‘Trade Watch’ tab.

Spread
Shows the spread at the time on the specific currency pair.

The ‘Favorites’ Tab
You can easily switch to and select from a list of your favorite currency pairs that you have chosen from the ‘Symbols’ tab. You can have as many favorites listed as you wish.

Attention :
In order to view the market depth on the favorites list you need to select a currency pair to expand. Users can see depth of market for multiple symbols that are saved in their favorites.

Removing Favorites
To remove a currency pair from your list of ‘Favorites’, simply click the star-shaped icon displayed in that particular currency pair’s window, in the ‘Favorites’ section or in the ‘Market Watch’.


Trade Watch

The ‘Trade Watch’ is a multifunctional window allowing access to various Trade Watch features. This window offers control over trading activities, such as ‘Positions’, ‘Orders’ and ‘Deals’.

Positions Top
The ‘Positions’ tab contains information about all currently active trade positions. All open positions can be sorted by the value of any field. At the bottom of the window will be displayed financial and settings results of open positions, which include: ‘Balance’, ‘Equity’, ‘Margin’, ‘Free Margin’, ‘Margin Level’ and ‘Total Profit’.
All trade operations are displayed in a table with the following fields:

1. Time : Time the order was filled. The time is represented as DD/MM/YYYY HH:MM (Day/Month/Year Hour: Minute).
2. Symbol : This field displays the name of the currency pair being traded.
3. Volume : The amount of money traded.
4. Type : Type of trade. There are two types of trading operations that can be displayed: ‘Buy’ or ‘Sell’.
5. Entry : This is the price at which the order was filled.
6. T/P : The placed ‘Take Profit’ order level. If an order has not been placed, a hyphen ( – ) will be displayed in this field.
7. S/L : The placed ‘Stop Loss’ order level. If an order has not been placed, a hyphen ( – ) will be displayed in this field.
8. Swap : Charging of swaps is displayed in this cell.
9. Commission : Commissions, charged by the brokerage company for performing trade operations is displayed in this field.
10. Pips : The profit or loss is shown in pips.
11. Base Currency Profit : Displays the profit or loss of the position. Positive result means that the transaction is profitable and negative means that it is unprofitable.
12. Close : Close the position.
13. This is a quick button that opens the Modify Positions window

Orders Top
The ‘Orders’ tab contains information about all Pending Orders. All orders can be sorted by a value of any field. The information in the bottom will display financial and settings results of Pending Order, which include: ‘Balance’, ‘Equity’, ‘Margin’, ‘Free Margin’, ‘Margin Level’ and ‘Total Profit’.
All Pending Orders are displayed in a table with the following fields :
All trade operations are displayed in a table with the following fields :

1. Time : Time the order was filled. The time is represented as DD/MM/YYYY HH:MM (Day/Month/Year Hour: Minute).
2. Symbol : This field displays the name of the currency pair being traded.
3. Volume : The amount of money traded.
4. Type : Type of the trade operation. There are two types of trading operations that can be displayed: ‘Buy’ or ‘Sell’.
5. Entry : This is the price at which the order was filled.
6. T/P : The placed ‘Take Profit’ order level. If an order has not been placed, a hyphen ( – ) will be displayed in this field.
7. S/L : The placed ‘Stop Loss’ order level. If an order has not been placed, a hyphen ( – ) will be displayed in this field.
8. Swap : Charging of swaps is displayed in this cell.
9. Commission : Commissions, charged by the brokerage company for performing trade operations is displayed in this field.
10. Expiry : If set, the time when the Pending Order will expire.
11. Price : The spot price.
12. This is a quick button that opens the Modify Positions window

Deals Top
The ‘Deals’ tab contains information about all closed position and orders. The information at the bottom will display financial and settings results, which include: ‘Realized P&L’, ‘Deposit’ and ‘Withdrawal’.
All trades are displayed in a table with the following fields :

1. Entry Time : Time the order was filled. The time is represented as DD/MM/YYYY HH:MM (Day/Month/Year Hour: Minute).
2. Symbol : This field displays the name of the currency pair being traded.
3. Volume : The amount of money traded.
4. Type : Type of the trade operation. There are two types of trading operations that can be displayed: ‘Buy’ or ‘Sell’.
5. Entry Price : This is the price at which the order was filled.
6. T/P : The placed ‘Take Profit’ order level. If an order has not been placed, a hyphen (-) will be displayed in this field.
7. S/L : The placed ‘Stop Loss’ order level. If an order has not been placed, a hyphen (-) will be displayed in this field.
8. Commissions : Commissions, charged by the brokerage company for performing trade operations is displayed in this field.
9. Swap : Charging of swaps is displayed in this cell.
10. Close Price : This is the price at which the position was closed.
11. Close Time : Time the position was closed. The time is represented as DD/MM/YYYY HH:MM (Day/Month/Year Hour: Minute)
12. Base Currency Profit : Displays the profit or loss of the position. Positive result means that the transaction is profitable and negative means that it is unprofitable
13. Realized P&L : Positive result means the transaction was profitable and negative means that it was unprofitable.

You are able to save a statement by clicking on the Green Statement button located on the DEALS tab, this will allow you to save your statements to your PC.


Working With Charts

Switching between Chart Modes
To switch between the ‘Single Chart’ and ‘Multiple Chart’ modes, use the middle button in the upper right-hand corner of the chart, or the ‘Multiple Chart Mode’ and ‘Single Chart Mode’ buttons on the ‘Line Studies’ toolbar. To detach a chart, click the first button of the three buttons in the upper right corner of the chart. Alternatively, you can press F2.

Multiple Charts
You are able to open, view and work with as many opened charts, as you want. Alternatively, you can click F2.

Detached Charts
Every opened chart can be detached as a standalone feature. All functionality remains the same as before detachment. The Minimize button, minimizes detached charts on the taskbar. The “x” button of a detached chart will attach the chart back to cTrader’s main console.

Single Chart
By default, all opened charts, will be displayed in a ‘Single Chart’ mode, with the other opened charts tabbed. Alternatively, you can click F2 to toggle between ‘Multiple Charts’ and ‘Single Chart’ modes.

Chart Opening
To open a ‘New Chart’ in cTrader you have a series of options :

1. From the main menu select cTrader – New Chart’ and then select an appropriate chart from the drop- down list, or enter the ‘Symbol’ name in the ‘Search’ field manually.
2. Choose the appropriate ‘Currency Pair’, in the ‘Market Watch’ either from ‘Symbols’ or from ‘Favorites’ and click the ‘New Chart’ button.
3. Click the ‘+’ button, which is located the tabbed charts in the header.

When a chart is opened, you can choose from three different ways, to view it – ‘Single Chart’, ‘Multiple Charts’ or the ‘Detached Chart’ options.


Chart Management

Chart Type
There are three different types of charts: ‘Bar Chart’, ‘Candlesticks’ and ‘Line Chart’. You can select and change to appropriate chart type, by clicking the ‘Chart Type’ button.

Bar Chart
Chart is displayed in OCHL bars sequence.

Candlesticks
Chart is displayed in the Candlesticks sequence.

Line Chart
Chart is displayed in the Candlesticks sequence.

Full Screen
Switch to and from ‘Fullscreen’ mode, by clicking the ‘Fullscreen’ button.

Indicators
The ‘Indicators’ menu can be opened by clicking the ‘Indicators’ button on the ‘Charts’ toolbar.

Objects
To analyse the market you can draw graphical objects onto the chart. To draw objects, choose and click from the ‘Line Studies’ toolbar.

Time Period
You can choose from fourteen different time periods – from one minute (m1) to one month (M1) by clicking the ‘Periodicy’ button in the ‘Charts’ toolbar.

Zooming
There are six levels of zoom. Choose the level of zoom by clicking the magnifying glass icon on the ‘Charts’ toolbar.

Scrolling
You can scroll through the chart from right to left and vice versa.

Please Note :
Open closing the cTrader, the charts and their attached colors, indicators, time frames etc will be saved and reopened upon the re-opening of the cTrader.

Use of Mouse
Chart management by the use of a mouse :

1. Click and hold the left mouse button anywhere on the chart and move to left or right. The same operation can be achieved with the scrollbar;
2. Click the right mouse button on the appropriate level of the Price Axis and if allowed, at that price level you will be able to open a ‘Market Order’, ‘Limit Order’ or ‘Stop Order’.
3. Click the left mouse button on the drawn ‘Line Studies’ objects to edit them and move them around the chart.
4. If ‘Multiple Chart’ mode is enabled you can use the ‘Mouse Scroll’ to move the chart according to the scrollingdirection when hovering over the chart.

Trading

Order Types
cTrader supports the following orders : ‘Market order’, ‘Limit Order’, ‘Stop Orders’, ‘Stop Loss’ and ‘Take Profit’.

Market Order
A request to open or close a Buy or a Sell position, at the current available market price. Your request will remain live until executed.
cTrader will automatically aggregate all available liquidity at the best possible prices available and fill at VWAP (Volume-Weighted Average Price)

Limit Order
A ‘Limit Order’ is an order to buy or sell an instrument at a specific price. A ‘Buy Limit Order’ can only be executed at the limit price or lower, and a sell limit order can only be executed at the limit price or higher. Once triggered there is a five- second time limit during which our ECN platform will attempt to fill your order at your requested price or better. Any unfilled volume remaining after this time will be shown as a new ‘Pending Limit Order’ at the original requested price.

Stop Order
A ‘Stop Order’ is an order to buy or sell a security once the price reaches a specified level. A ‘Buy Stop Order’ is entered at a price that is always above the current Market price. A ‘Sell Stop Order’ is always placed below the current market price. Once triggered there is a three-second time limit during which our ECN platform will attempt to fill your order at your requested price. Any volume remaining after this time will be filled at market price.

Stop Loss/Take Profit
These are attached to an already open order to close a position at a specified market price. A ‘Stop Loss’ may be used to minimize losses whereas a ‘Take Profit’ may be used to secure profits. In instances where netting occurs, a new order is created and any ‘Take Profit’ or ‘Stop Loss’ that was attached to the previous orders is no longer valid.
Note: ‘Market Orders’ are subject to extreme fills, especially during thin/volatile market conditions. Only one order can be filled at a time. Opening or closing of multiple of positions is not possible.

Opening a position :
There are three types of order available :

1. ‘Market Orders’
2. ‘Limit Orders’
3. ‘Stop Orders’

To open an ‘Instant Market Order’ follow the steps below :

1. Select the pair you wish to trade from the ‘Symbols Window’ to expand the ‘Pairs Window’ (as you can see to the right)
2. Select the size of the trade you wish to place, by clicking on the 100k (as displayed in picture to the right) which will then display a drop don window with volumes in ‘k’.
3. You can open a BUY or SELL position using the quick place buttons (Sell in grey / Buy in orange in picture)
4. This will then process your order which can then be viewed in the Trade Watch

Alternatively :

1. the ‘Create New Order’ button will open a more detailed trade window where you can set any of the three available trade types, including the ‘Instant Market Order’ you can see to the right.
2. In the boxes you can select the ‘Symbol’ you wish to trade, and the volume of the trade in ‘k’, before clicking the BUY or SELL buttons.
3. Upon successfully entering a trade you will be presented with the confirmation window.

To open a Limit Order you follow the below steps :

1. You have a quick Buy Limit and Sell Limit button which will open the drop down box you can see to your right. This allows you to set a quick entry point using the prices shown in the window.
2. Clicking one of these prices will instantly submit the limit order to your orders window in the Trade Watch.

Alternatively :

1. Clicking the ‘Create New Order’ button will open a more detailed trade window where you can set any of the three available trade types, including the two windows shown here for ‘Limit Orders’ and ‘Stop Orders’.
2. In the boxes you can select the symbol you wish to trade, the price you wish to enter, the volume of the trade in ‘k’, and expiry, if you wish to use one, before then clicking the BUY or SELL buttons.

Attention :

1. ‘Stop Loss’ and ‘Take Profit’ orders trigger at open positions, not at pending orders.

Closing /Modify an Order


To close an open position, click the price under the CLOSE column at the end of the TRADE WATCH window. This will automatically close the trade.

Modify, edit or delete a ‘Pending order’
To modify, edit or delete a pending order, open the ‘Orders Window’ from the Trade Watch and then double- click the pending order. This will open the popup window in which you can change the price and expiry or simply delete the position.

Alternatively :

Click the button. This is a quick button that opens the Modify Positions window where you can change the price and expiry or simply delete the position.

Attention :

1. Not checking the checkbox by the Stop Loss and Take Profit titles is does the same function as disabling the orders.

Setting Or Editing A 'stop Loss' Or 'take Profit' Top
To modify an open position or to add or edit a ‘Stop Loss’ or ‘Take Profit’ you must double-click the open position to launch the popup window.
You can select a ‘Stop Loss’ or ‘Take Profit’ by first selecting the relevant box to enable the settings. Above you can see that the ‘Stop Loss’ settings have been enabled. Your ‘Stop Loss’ or ‘Take Profit’ can be set by using the up down arrows in the price box or by highlighting the price and manually typing a new one.
You can see the percentage of profit or loss, pips and profit/loss to be made on the specific order by setting the SL or TP rate. Select ‘Protect’, to set the ’Stop Loss’ or ‘Take Profit’ on the specific position.


Appendix

Fast Navigation Top

Hot Keys

1. Page Up – Fast chart scrolling to the left – scrolls the whole screen (to older data)
2. Page Down – Fast chart scrolling to the right scrolls the whole screen (newest data)
3. (?) Left Arrow – Scroll left
4. (?) Right Arrow – Scroll right
5. (?) Up Arrow – Scroll left
6. (?) Down Arrow – Scroll right
7. (+) – Zoom in
8. (-) – Zoom out
9. Delete – Delete selected object
10. Backspace – Delete last drawn object
11. ALT + 1 – Chart mode OCLH
12. ALT + 2 – Chart mode Candlesticks
13. ALT + 3 – Chart mode Line Charts
14. Ctrl + Z – Undo object delete
15. Home – Go to the oldest data available ? End – Go to the ‘Latest Trend’ bar
16. Ctrl+G – Showgrid
17. Ctrl + V – Show volume
18. Ctrl + B – ShowBid
19. Ctrl + A – ShowAsk
20. Ctrl + F – Favorites tab (Market Watch)
21. Ctrl + S – Symbols tab (Market Watch)
22. Ctrl + O – Neworder
23. Ctrl + V – Duplicate the selected drawn object ? Ctrl + C – Crosshair
24. Ctrl + D – Data window
25. Alt + F4 – Close the terminal ? ESC – Close any window
26. F1 – Help
27. F2 – Layout toggle

ATTENTION :

cTrader Live Updates
Every time cTrader is launched, it will automatically check and install any available updates. The update process takes few seconds and once the update(s) are located the platform will launch. User settings and last used account remain the same as before the update.

1. The cTrader Live Update is always enabled and cannot be disabled.
2. If there is no connection to the server, cTrader Live Update process will not begin.

If any problems occur during the cTrader Live Update please contact the Broker Support team.



More INFO http://help.spotware.com/

cAlgo - Custom Indicator & Robots


With cAlgo you can write custom indicators and automated strategy programs (cBots)

Here is the screenshot of cAlgo IDE (integrated development environment) :

http://www.earnforex.com/blog/wp-con...cAlgo-code.jpg



All robots have to be run from cAlgo. All coding is done there too.

Here is how that part of the Platform looks like :

http://www.earnforex.com/blog/wp-con...Algo-robot.jpg



Backtesting Robots (cBots)

The screenshoot of cBots (Strategy Customization) done via cAlgo :

http://www.earnforex.com/blog/wp-con...est-report.png




More INFO http://help.spotware.com/calgo

cAlgo - Custom Indicator & Robots Structure


Custom Indicator Structure
Basically, each custom indicator’s code can be divided into the following sections :

1. Declaration of necessary namespaces
2. Creation of indicator’s class:
   1. Definition of input parameters
   2. Definition of outputs
   3. Declaration of supplementary objects
   4. Implementation of Initialize() function
   5. Implementation of Calculate() function
   6. Implementation of additional functions

Source : cAlgo Custom Indicators — Coding Basics


Robot Structure
The code of a generic cBot consists of the following sections :

1. Declaration of necessary namespaces
2. Creation of robot’s class:
   1. Definition of input parameters
   2. Declaration of supplementary objects and variables
   3. Implementation of standard Robot class event handlers:
      1. OnStart()
      2. OnTick()
      3. OnBar()
      4. OnPendingOrderCreated()
      5. OnPositionOpened()
      6. OnPositionClosed()
      7. OnStop()
      8. OnError()
      9. MarketDepth.Updated

   4. Implementation of custom Robot class methods

Read further for detailed description of each of those sections.


Source : cAlgo Robots — Coding Basics

cAlgo - API


API Reference Guides

Introduction

Whether you are a novice or an expert in developing cBots (automated strategies) and indicators you can benefit from reading the cAlgo guides to develop your own code or modify code according to your needs. The guides are designed to get you started coding simple indicators and strategies quickly and then advance to more elaborate trading techniques with further reading.

More INFO http://ctdn.com/api/guides/



All classes in cAlgo.API

Reference

Many kinds of Reference for All classes in cAlgo.API

More INFO http://ctdn.com/api/reference/

cAlgo - Algorithm


It's FREE !
You can choose Indicators and cBots already available :


Indicators
http://ctdn.com/algos/indicators

cBots
http://ctdn.com/algos/cbots



Instructions

A. How to install cBots & Indicators for cAlgo

1. Download the Indicator or cBot
2. Double-click on the downloaded file. This will install all necessary files in cAlgo
3. Find the indicator/cbot you want to use from the menu on the Left.
4. Add an instance of the indicator/cBot to Run.

B. How to install Indicators for cTrader

1. Download the Indicator.
2. Double-click on the downloaded file. This will install all necessary files in cTrader
3. Select the indicator from Custom in the functions (f) menu in the top center of the Chart.

http://ctdn.com/bundles/ctraderctdn/...r.png?v1.9.3.1

4. Enter the parameters and click OK

MQ4 to cAlgo Converter


Convert your MQ4 expert advisers and indicators to C# for use in cTrader or cAlgo



Link Site : http://2calgo.com/

You probably forgot to mention that there is a web interface, too, so that it can be accessed without installation, and also on mobile.

And, probably very important: there is a "feedback" button integrated into cTrader! LOL

However, the most notable feature of the cTrader platform (not to be confused with the cTrader GUI, as shown above), is the Open Connect API.
Basically it means that any third party software, or your own, can be connected via that API with your cTrader accounts at any broker that you use (on your behalf), making a lot of interesting stuff possible..

What i like about ctrader(spotware) they listens to the clients.
http://vote.spotware.com/forums/2291...ader-and-calgo

Well done...

It's Good Value for Consumers

More Features cTrader platform can found in cTrader: features of the platform

Hello,

We would like to thank the User Tsar , for the great way of presenting our platfrom in ForexFactory. Keep it up. cTrader is a true No Dealing Desk , Straight Through Proccessing Platofrm. With cTrader there is no Dealing Desk intervention, no Dealing Desk Requotes or Dealing Desk rejects.


You don't have to use cAlgo's Charting if you don't want to. We have released the feature where you can actually run robots in cTrader.




Other new features we recently released are fully functional tradeable tick charts.




And "Advanced Take Profit" where you can set multiple take profit levels for your positions



thanks!

when will renko and rangebars be available?

Thanks for the detailed information about cTrader. It is a good platform which is easy to use for a new trader like me. I want to ask one question here. Can you let me know about the brokers who are offering this platform?

Here is a list http://www.forexbrokerz.com/page/ctrader-forex-brokers

I'm sure there other pages, just do a search.

I would not call cTrader a new standard. It's more like still learning to walk upright, though it has potential.

A lot of features are still missing and at the cTrader forum and the standard answer is "going to implement it in the future" (yea right, but this year, next year, 2 years?).

some examples:
- no interaction with grafical chart objects this really limits coding options.
- You can't enter exact price levels for TP and SL (only pips away from entry point - sometimes it complicates things a lot)
- TP and SL prices get rounded to nearest pip (it's like trading with a 4 digit broker). This is far away from ideal or "standard" if you aim to scalp with bots. It's like an permanent extra slippage or extra spread
- crosshair currently only shows rounded pips
- chart colors are limited

+ C# is an easy language
+ overall clean and modern layout
+ some nice features like partial profit taking, move to break even after x pips (though only available after entering a trade and again sometimes you would rather enter exact price levels)
+ ECN

At it's current state it's clearly behind MT4. It has potential but development seems slow. It is not the problem that you can't use MT4 bots and indis but that you are limited in recoding these for cTrader/cAlgo. I hope they are going to hire some more developers.

yeah, still waiting and waiting features coming in the 'future'
i've seen that 'protrader' have a builtin feature able to import mq4 code and then automatically translate it into c# (still need to test it myself)

That is awful. With only this, cTrader sucks regardless of other good features.

Hands down cAlgo is the best tool out there.

It's built for backtesting, and that, I believe is the way to trade. The backtest functions as a calculator, and diagnosis. At a snap, you can check your strategy and adapt it daily.

Now with cAlgo optimization, I really don't see any challenger. MT4? Try doing a backtest on that. Then try optimizing!