ANN: IbPy 0.4 - Interactive Brokers Python API

[Troy Melhase]

IbPy - Interactive Brokers Python API
=====================================
IbPy 0.4 Released 15 June 2004


What is IbPy?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- IbPy is a third-party implementation of the API used for accessing the
 Interactive Brokers on-line trading system.  IbPy implements functionality
 that the Python programmer can use to connect to IB, request stock ticker
 data,
submit orders for stocks and futures, and more.


What's new in this release?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- The focus of this release is compatibility with recent versions of the TWS
 application.  TWS Build 826.4 is the most current as of this writing, and
 IbPy functions as expected with it.

The other notable features of this release are:

    * Execution filters
    * Orders with combo legs
    * Method 'request_auto_open_orders'
    * Method 'request_all_open_orders'
    * Method 'request_managed_accounts'

Many thanks to Mike Lynch for his testing and feedback.


Where can I get IbPy?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- IbPy is available for download from SourceForge.net.

    http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=53862

Project page:

    http://ibpy.sourceforge.net/


How do I use IbPy?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- In order to use IbPy, the TWS application provided by IB must be installed
 and running.  See the note "What is TWS?" for more information.

IbPy is used in the same manner as all socket clients supplied by Interactive
Brokers.  The typical sequence of operations is:

    *  Start the browser-based or stand-alone TWS application
    *  In TWS, enable socket clients via the Configure -> API menu
    *  Connect to TWS from external application
    *  In TWS, accept the incoming connection
    *  External application requests ticker updates, sends orders, receives
       account data, portfolio data, etc.

To connect to TWS and interact with the brokers trading system, the Python
developer defines methods or functions to act as callbacks and associates
these with an Ib.Socket.SocketConnection object.  Refer to the Demo.py file
in the distribution for a complete example.

In lieu of IbPy documentation, developers are referred to the IbPy source
 code and the documentation supplied by Interactive Brokers.


What are the requirements?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- IbPy requires Python 2.3 or newer.  Previous versions may or may not work.

TWS requires a web browser capable of executing Sun(R) Java(tm) applets.
TWS can also be started directly with Sun(R) Java(tm) and the stand-alone
package supplied by Interactive Brokers.


What is Interactive Brokers?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- From the "About The Interactive Brokers Group" page
(http://interactivebrokers.com/html/companyInfo/about.html):

The Interactive Brokers Group is a group of electronic brokerage and market
making firms at the forefront of the electronic brokerage industry. We have
revolutionized the securities and derivatives markets by providing investors
with high-speed, direct access to stock, options and futures products
worldwide. We specialize in providing investors with technology that offers
efficient, fast access to the world's markets at the lowest possible cost.


What is TWS?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- From the page "Trader Execution and Clearing System Features"
(http://interactivebrokers.com/html/companyInfo/market_ib.html):

* IB's Trader Workstation can be run directly from your browser, or you can
install it on your PC and run it from your desktop. This Java based
application allows traders to quickly enter orders and see results.

* Direct Access: Unlike other "online" brokers that send your order through
an e-mail type system, IB offers a direct-access order entry system that
transmits your order to the proper market center, usually within one second
 of entry.

* Real-Time Streaming Quotes: Display real-time, streaming quotes for markets
of interest to the investor. Quotes are live and change continuously as the
markets change, no periodic manual update or "refresh" is required.


What Else?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- IbPy is not a product of Interactive Brokers, nor am I affiliated with IB. 
 I am a satisfied IB customer, of course.

IbPy is installed with distutils.  Refer to the Python distutils
 documentation for more information.  The digest version is:

    # tar xzf IbPy-0.4.tar.gz
    # cd IbPy-0.4
    # python setup.py install

The TWS demo system is available here:

    http://interactivebrokers.com/cgi-pub/jtslink.pl?user_name=edemo

The stand-alone TWS and other API software is available from IB:

    http://interactivebrokers.com/

IbPy is licensed under the BSD License.

I'm very interested in your experience with IbPy.  Please drop me an note
 with any feedback you have.

Troy Melhase
mailto:troy at gci.net