Automatic Trading Development in Python, Installation and Update of PyQt in Anaconda

The automated trading system refers to a program that automatically executes trades in various financial markets such as stocks, foreign exchange, and cryptocurrencies. These systems are useful for backtesting and algorithm development. In this course, we will learn how to install and update PyQt in Anaconda as the first step in developing automated trading using Python.

1. Overview of Anaconda

Anaconda is a Python distribution for data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence programming. Anaconda provides a package manager called Conda, which makes it very easy to manage various libraries and environments. Using Anaconda allows you to simultaneously install and manage multiple Python versions conveniently.

1.1 Installing Anaconda

To install Anaconda, please follow these steps:

  1. Download the latest version of the installation file from the official Anaconda website.
  2. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
  3. Once the installation is complete, launch ‘Anaconda Prompt’.

2. Overview of PyQt

PyQt is a GUI toolkit for Python that implements the Qt framework. This allows users to easily develop desktop applications using Python. PyQt runs on various platforms and is suitable for web-based automated trading systems.

2.1 Why Use PyQt?

PyQt has the following features:

  • Cross-platform: Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Rich set of widgets: Provides various UI elements
  • Strong documentation: User-friendly documentation

3. Installing PyQt in Anaconda

Now let’s learn how to install PyQt in the Anaconda environment.

3.1 Installing PyQt using Conda Command

To install PyQt in Anaconda, use the following command. Open ‘Anaconda Prompt’ and enter the command below:

conda install pyqt

This command installs PyQt from the Anaconda repository. Once the installation is complete, you can use PyQt.

3.2 Verify Installation

To verify if PyQt is properly installed, try running the Python script below.

python -c "import PyQt5; print(PyQt5.__version__)"

If the command runs without errors and the version of PyQt is displayed, the installation is complete.

4. Updating PyQt

PyQt is periodically updated with new features and bug fixes. Here are the steps to update PyQt in Anaconda.

4.1 Updating PyQt using Conda Command

To update PyQt, run the command below:

conda update pyqt

This command updates the currently installed PyQt package to the latest version. After the update is complete, check the version again to ensure the update was successful.

4.2 Checking the Latest Version of PyQt

To check the list of the latest versions of PyQt available for installation in Anaconda, use the command below:

conda search pyqt

This command allows you to check all available versions for the currently installed package.

5. Example: Creating a Simple GUI Application Using PyQt

Now that PyQt is properly installed, let’s create a simple GUI application. In this example, we will create a very basic application that shows a message box when a button is clicked.

5.1 Basic GUI Structure

Below is the code for a simple GUI application using PyQt:

import sys
from PyQt5.QtWidgets import QApplication, QWidget, QPushButton, QMessageBox

class MyApp(QWidget):
    def __init__(self):
        super().__init__()
        self.initUI()

    def initUI(self):
        self.setGeometry(100, 100, 280, 80)
        self.setWindowTitle('Hello PyQt')
        
        btn = QPushButton('Show Message', self)
        btn.clicked.connect(self.showMessage)
        btn.move(20, 20)

    def showMessage(self):
        QMessageBox.information(self, 'Message', 'Hello, PyQt!')

if __name__ == '__main__':
    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
    ex = MyApp()
    ex.show()
    sys.exit(app.exec_())

5.2 Explanation of the Code

  • import sys: Imports system-related functionalities.
  • QApplication: The base class for all PyQt applications.
  • QWidget: The base class for all widgets.
  • QPushButton: Creates a button.
  • QMessageBox: Creates a message box to convey information to the user.

5.3 Running the Application

Run the saved Python file in the terminal and Anaconda Prompt:

python yourfile.py

When you click the button, a message box will appear with the message “Hello, PyQt!”.

6. Conclusion

In this course, we learned how to install and update PyQt in Anaconda. We also learned how to create a basic GUI application, acquiring knowledge that will be very helpful in future automated trading development and in creating more complex GUI applications.

7. Additional Learning Resources

Below are resources that may help you in developing PyQt and automated trading systems: