Best places for Algorithmic Trading?

I'm looking to take up trading and use my programming knowledge to implement algorithmic strategies. I'm a competent programmer and looking for places that offer APIs for trading. I've noticed Interactive Brokers has an API but would like other suggestions! I'm based in the UK.

Secondly, I'm interested in any strategy links regarding agent based trading. I've studied agent based computing and was interested to know whether anyone here bases their algorithmic trading on this?

MetaTrader 4 Expert Advisor, easy!

you dont need alot of programming skils

I'm good at programming in a number of languages and wanted to use that to create an automated trading agent. Does anyone here do that sort of thing or do you just trade manually?

Yeap! I know you can program mate.

MetaTrader 4 will do what you want! Automated trading, multiple trades, open's/ stop's and indicators, variables, etc.

Download it from Alpari or Odl securities

Cheerios

And then MetaQuotes will have all the necessary Api

MT4 is a bit basic - if you can already program, Ninjatrader, Neoticker, or Smartquant would probably be better choices.

Hi - Let me be the first to congratulate you on your decision to use a systematic approach to trading the markets rather than an arbitrary "discretionary" approach. Assuming you develop your strategies based on sound logic and then thoroughly back-test them on at least ten years of high quality data (and walk them forward in real time for at least 6 months before committing live capital), you stand an excellent chance of success relative to most other novice traders. The systematic approach takes patience and effort, but remember that most of the big money earned in financial markets is in fact made systematically. In terms of programming, you could save a lot of time by obtaining a high quality, ready-made system development application such as Tradestation, assuming you don't wish to try and re-invent the wheel. There is also an excellent book for those versed in C++ on the subject, Michael Katz's "The Encyclopedia of Trading Strategies". This book utilizes C++ code and a simple spreadsheet like Excel to develop both customized systems and risk analysis modules, and I'd highly recommend it as an excellent read. But once again, companies like Tradestation or Metastock can provide you with comprehensive solutions for coding up just about any trading idea under the sun. - Joe.

Interactive Brokers and GFT UK (spread betting) both offer APIs which you can use to source data and execute. GFT has the advantage that spread betting is tax free in the UK. IB has the advantage of full L2 support and cheaper trading (ie narrower spreads).