Abstract: A method of reaching one or more target positions in a user-directed trading system includes the steps of: identifying target positions, wherein each target position includes a tradable instrument identifier and a target quantity; for at least one of the target positions, identifying a corresponding initial position including a current quantity associated with the tradable instrument identifier; and triggering the trading system to identify orders required to reach at least one target position from at least one initial position. A user-directed trading system includes: a user interface through which a user identifies target positions, wherein each target position includes a tradable instrument identifier and a target quantity; for at least one of the target positions, identifies a corresponding initial position including a current quantity associated with the tradable instrument identifier; and identifies orders required to reach at least one target position from at least one initial position.

Abstract: A trading system includes: a first set of two or more functions and a second set of two or more functions, wherein each of the functions in the first set and the second set includes a variable that is of a common variable type, wherein the value of the variable that is of the common variable type in the first set of functions and the value of the variable that is of the common variable type in the second set of functions may be different at a given point in time; and a function editing mechanism through which the value of the variable that is of the common variable type in the first set of functions may be edited for each of the functions in the first set of functions without affecting the value of the variable that is of the common variable type in the second set of functions.

Abstract: A method of reaching one or more target positions in a user-directed trading system includes the steps of: identifying target positions, wherein each target position includes a tradable instrument identifier and a target quantity; for at least one of the target positions, identifying a corresponding initial position including a current quantity associated with the tradable instrument identifier; and triggering the trading system to identify orders required to reach at least one target position from at least one initial position. A user-directed trading system includes: a user interface through which a user identifies target positions, wherein each target position includes a tradable instrument identifier and a target quantity; for at least one of the target positions, identifies a corresponding initial position including a current quantity associated with the tradable instrument identifier; and identifies orders required to reach at least one target position from at least one initial position.

Abstract: A trading system includes: a first set of two or more functions and a second set of two or more functions, wherein each of the functions in the first set and the second set includes a variable that is of a common variable type, wherein the value of the variable that is of the common variable type in the first set of functions and the value of the variable that is of the common variable type in the second set of functions may be different at a given point in time, and further wherein at least a first function from the first set of functions and at least a second function from the second set of functions may be executed sequentially.

Abstract: A trading system includes: a first set of two or more functions and a second set of two or more functions, wherein each of the functions in the first set and the second set includes a variable that is of a common variable type, wherein the value of the variable that is of the common variable type in the first set of functions and the value of the variable that is of the common variable type in the second set of functions may be different at a given point in time; and a function editing mechanism through which the value of the variable that is of the common variable type in the first set of functions may be edited for each of the functions in the first set of functions without affecting the value of the variable that is of the common variable type in the second set of functions.

Abstract: A system for managing hotkey subscriptions includes one or more controllers adapted to run two or more software applications, including a trading software application, wherein the trading software application includes one or more functions associated with a respective one or more hotkeys and further wherein the one or more controllers are configured to inform the trading software application when any of the hotkeys are triggered anytime the trading software application is running. A method for managing hotkey subscriptions includes the steps of: concurrently running two or more software applications, including a first trading software application including one or more functions associated with a respective one or more hotkeys; and informing the first trading software application when any of the hotkeys are triggered, anytime the trading software application is running.

Abstract: An order entry system for tradable instruments includes: a buying power limit constrained order entry mechanism adapted to automatically adjust a condition related to one or more currently open orders or currently held positions in response to a change in the buying power limits. A method of adapting risk in a buying power limit constrained order entry system for tradable instruments includes the steps of: changing the value of the buying power limits; and automatically adjusting a condition related to one or more currently open orders or currently held positions in response to the changed value of the buying power limits.

Abstract: An order entry system for tradable instruments includes: a buying power limit constrained order entry mechanism wherein independent buying power limits are provided for short side and long side. A method of controlling risk in an order entry system for tradable instruments includes the steps of: providing buying power limits constraining order entry; and establishing independent buying power limits for short side and long side.

Abstract: An order entry system for tradable instruments includes a buying power limit constrained order entry mechanism, wherein one or more conditions related to one or more buying power limits are adapted to automatically adjust. A method of controlling risk in an order entry system for tradable instruments includes the steps of: providing one or more conditions related to buying power; and automatically adjusting the one or more conditions related to buying power.

Abstract: A system for building functions configured to adjust one or more conditions related to buying power includes: a user interface through which a user may identify one or more factors to create one or more functions configured to adjust one or more conditions related to buying power. A method of building functions configured to adjust one or more conditions related to buying power, the method includes the steps of: identifying one or more factors to be used in a function configured to adjust one or more conditions related to buying power; identifying one or more relationships by which the factors are related; applying the identified one or more relationships to the identified one or more factors; and adjusting the one or more conditions related to buying power in response to the application of the identified one or more relationships to the identified one or more factors.

Abstract: A buying power limited financial products order entry system includes an order resolution component configured to apply one or more automatic resolution actions when there exists at least one order that, if executed, would result in a condition in which a presently implemented buying power limit is exceeded. A method of resolving order size conflicts in a buying power limited financial products order entry system, the method includes the steps of: applying one or more automatic resolution actions when there exists at least one order that, if executed, would result in a condition in which a presently implemented buying power limit is exceeded.

Abstract: A buying power limited financial products order entry system includes or more databases including data identifying currently implemented buying power limits, currently held positions and currently open orders. The system further includes an input command component adapted to receive a command to calculate a maximum order size for a selected financial product based, at least in part, on the currently implemented buying power limits, currently held positions and currently open orders. A method of calculating a maximum order size in a buying power limited financial products order entry system includes the steps of: providing an input command component adapted to receive a command to calculate a maximum order size for a selected financial product; and in response to the command being triggered, calculating a maximum order size for the selected financial product based, at least in part, on currently implemented buying power limits, current open orders and any currently held positions.