Programming for traders?

Eman_321

Hello I really should've posted this question here,. unfortunately no idea how to move the previous thread at this link: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=76643756

So got a WP job as a programmer for traders. I'm not into finance, business and have tried to avoid it all my life but without succeeding ha
Not really into maths either, I can if I really put my mind into it.
But I also like programming, and I've been told I'd learn things along the way. But I'd like to hear from those who writes code for traders, I'd imagine the job would be very stressful. Do you have to know all that stuff about EFTs, Futures :S, I'd start reading on them soon. I suppose it is math intensive as well. I've heard of algorithmic trading and it sounds really complicated xD..
Would like to read your experience thanks.
The point is sure I can write code, but I'm not smart - super smart and wondering if I will be competent, as I know trading companies employ super smart folks.

srsly78

There are different types of work in this field. Some traders have little programming and advanced maths knowledge, knowing how to use Excel is enough. These guys would rely on analysts to provide them with information (interpreting the information is ofc very important too!).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantitative_analyst

Quant is a bit of a buzzword in finance really, it just means a glorified programmer a lot of the time. A quant researcher would probably have a PhD and work with R, but a quant developer might be customer-facing, and work closely with traders. Some quants go on to become traders, these guys would earn massive money I'm a nooby quant developer, and only started working in finance 1.5 years ago.

Knowing any of _maths_, java, c#, c++, excel, sql or R are a good way to start.

Eman_321

srsly78 wrote: »

There are different types of work in this field. Some traders have little programming and maths knowledge, knowing how to use Excel is enough. These guys would rely on analysts to provide them with information.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantitative_analyst

Quant is a bit of a buzzword in finance really, it just means a glorified programmer a lot of the time. A quant researcher would probably have a PhD and work with R, but a quant developer might be customer-facing, and work closely with traders. Some quants go on to become traders, these guys would earn massive money

Knowing any of _maths_, java, c#, c++, excel, sql or R are a good way start.

Really? That's funny as I would assume lots of the traders would have loads of maths skills - especially probability. I doubt I'll do something that complex as a Quant Analyst does - I'm still in college lol.

srsly78

Yes traders would be expected to have some maths skills, and be handy with excel. Many traders do not have technical backgrounds however in my experience (ie not computer science or maths).

Quant stuff is concerned with theoretical pricing models and so on. Physics is apparently the most common qualification amongst London quants.

Some reading (all way over my head):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black%E2%80%93Scholes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heston_model
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SABR_volatility_model

Eman_321

srsly78 wrote: »

Yes traders would be expected to have some maths skills, and be handy with excel. Many traders do not have technical backgrounds however in my experience (ie not computer science or maths).

Quant stuff is concerned with theoretical pricing models and so on. Physics is apparently the most common qualification amongst London quants.

Some reading (all way over my head):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black%E2%80%93Scholes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heston_model
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SABR_volatility_model

Thanks for the link! Will have a try at reading the contents.
I wonder if I really have to know this stuff?
I'm sure I'm not doing any Quant Analyst stuff, just programming... but with some complexity... Just need an idea how complex. I suppose the question in itself is wide as there are many aspects.

srsly78

I'd say most people in finance don't fully understand the complex stuff, that's why they hire guys with PhDs. You do have to know that the complex stuff exists, and how to interpret it's results however.

For example:
A complex model might provide you with a projected yield curve for a given instrument. Can you chart this output in excel? Can you understand how it impacts your trades?

Eman_321

srsly78 wrote: »

I'd say most people in finance don't fully understand the complex stuff, that's why they hire guys with PhDs. You do have to know that the complex stuff exists, and how to interpret it's results however.

For example:
A complex model might provide you with a projected yield curve for a given instrument. Can you chart this output in excel? Can you understand how it impacts your trades?

I don't know anything about that. I wouldn't think a programmer would have to know stuff about that. Jesus. f*cked

srsly78

Traders spend all day looking at graphs of data, you have to know how to interpret it.

Become a ninja with excel, this helps a lot The credit crisis happened inside vba macros running on spreadsheets >.<

Mort5000

Eman_321 wrote: »

I don't know anything about that. I wouldn't think a programmer would have to know stuff about that. Jesus. f*cked

Breathe.
Woooossaaaaa.
Ask your employer what they need you to know, and go and learn it.

Eman_321

Ha ha thanks guys. Advice noted