Backtrader capabilities vs platform selection
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Hi all and thanks for reading my first post!
I'm in the process of selecting a platform for strategy development, backtesting, automated trading, and tracking, but unlike many/most I don't use charting at all, and it feels a bit awkward looking at all these systems that mainly seem to be designed around charts. Although TradeStation is my broker making EasyLanguage an obvious first choice I would like to keep an open mind about my options, especially because I'm not a US based trader.
What I'm looking for is a platform that preferably can be used in the cloud as I'm permanently travelling and that can be completely run through scripts. Think querying external files and databases (for instance for parameters, external signals, ETF universe restrictions, synthetically extended historical data, etc), use functions, integrate real-time data plus built-in and custom indicators, create reports, send out trade notifications, etcetera.
The strategy I'm using and that I want to rebuild and expand uses a limited ETF universe and has fixed rules. It only has to check whether the rules (all coded) currently apply or not, and act based on that. It should be able to communicate with the outside world to receive input like parameters and send out trading signals. As such I would only need a script on a remote server, start it, go on holiday for a month, and after a month see if it's still going strong.
Obviously this is a bit exaggerated but I DO want to set up a system that would make this possible in theory, so that there is NO NEED to "do something" at a screen. If this is possible with any of the platforms mentioned then I'm all ears.
I'm currently at the point that I start wondering whether this is possible at all using an existing trading platform. However, I've been reading up on a great many systems and so far have short-listed the following:
Backtrader
TradeStation
MultiCharts
MultiCharts.NET
QuantConnect
AmiBrokerI would prefer to run at least the automated trading and tracking parts on a colocated server, VPS, in the cloud, whatever, and that I would be okay with developing and modifying my strategies on a tablet or laptop instead if necessary.
Although I'm not a programmer I've been working in IT for 3 decades, often with databases and SQL, so at least I should have SOME potential to pick up a major language. Since I might use what I learn for over a decade it may be a good investment in time. Like most I prefer an easier language over a more difficult one but I want to choose based on the viability of the technical solution.
So first of all I wonder whether Backtrader fits the bill on all points, but any suggestions that could push me in the right direction would be highly appreciated.
Tnx...
drftr