Futures Trading Software – Simple can be Better

K.I.S.S. is an acronym for “Keep it simple, stupid”. The K.I.S.S. principle states that most systems work best if they are kept simple rather than made complicated; therefore simplicity should be a key goal in design and unnecessary complexity should be avoided.

Some futures trading software is enormously complex. It’s a common misconception among end-users that a greater degree of complexity in a piece of software translates directly to that software being more powerful. In fact, some of the best trading software out there takes complicated processes and reduces them to simple procedures within the software. The lesson to take away from this is that a more complex interface does not necessarily mean that you’re using the best futures trading software out there.

Why Should Your Day Trading Tools Be Simpler?

The goal of a good programmer is not to create the most complex system possible. The goal of a good programmer is to build a system that’s capable of performing very complex actions, but that makes the process of entering the variables that control those actions simple for the user. Regarding what futures trading tools offer, this means that they should be capable of carrying out very sophisticated processes – such as your order entry processes – by making the actual work involved in defining those processes easier for the user.

Here’s an example. Using technical analysis indicators is a hugely important aspect of futures trading for the most successful people in the markets. The process of creating those technical analysis indicators, however, should not be overly complicated. A good piece of  trading software will allow you to trade however you want without making the usage too difficult. 

The Best Trading Software Reduces the Learning Curve

The best futures trading software will be familiar to you in many ways, even if you’re not technically savvy. For example, if you’re using online trading software to trade in the commodities markets, you should see all of the indicators you want and all of the information you want right on the screen, and it should be obvious what that information is. The interface may take you a while to learn your way around, but it shouldn’t have redefined everything to the point that you don’t even know what you’re looking at.

Look for futures trading systems that are complex under the hood and simple when you’re sitting in the driver seat. Good, powerful day trading software does not have to be overly complicated to use. In fact, proper futures trading tools should make it easy for you to harness the incredible power that software puts at your fingertips. If they do not, you may want to consider other options.