Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention permits users of trading algorithms to jointly achieve the objectives described above, namely: (a) permit access to trading algorithms of (arbitrary) complexity without requiring proprietary protocol extensions; (b) allow users to easily identify and store one or more sets of dynamic vs. static parameters (and related details, including user interface layout); and (c) allow any given pre-defined set of parameters to be easily invoked and used to submit orders. In another aspect, the invention comprises a computer system comprising: (a) an authoring tool operable to enable a user to design custom trading strategies and create interface definitions; and (b) a pre-processor operable to receive a custom strategy order message delivered via a standard protocol, load an definition for a corresponding custom strategy, enrich the order message based on the definition, and pass the enriched message to a trading strategy destination.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention permits users of trading algorithms to jointly achieve the objectives described above, namely: (a) permit access to trading algorithms of (arbitrary) complexity without requiring proprietary protocol extensions; (b) allow users to easily identify and store one or more sets of dynamic vs. static parameters (and related details, including user interface layout); and (c) allow any given pre-defined set of parameters to be easily invoked and used to submit orders. In another aspect, the invention comprises a computer system comprising: (a) an authoring tool operable to enable a user to design custom trading strategies and create interface definitions; and (b) a pre-processor operable to receive a custom strategy order message delivered via a standard protocol, load an definition for a corresponding custom strategy, enrich the order message based on the definition, and pass the enriched message to a trading strategy destination.