What is TA-Lib?
What can I do with TA-Lib?
What is that "technical analysis" stuff anyway?
Where can I get more information?
TA-Lib is intended for software developers looking to add technical analysis functionality to their application.
It is a library of more than 120 functions that can be integrated in your application. It is not an application by itself.
TA-Lib is made available in multiple format:
Excel plug-ins
C/C++ source code and static libraries.
Wrapper for access from Perl and Python.
Pure Java Implementation.
100% Managed and verifiable .NET assembly.
Mono assembly
The library is designed and implemented such that it shares the SAME algorithm for all the above format. This assure consistency among all your applications even if develop with a different language/platform.
TA-Lib is thoroughly tested both on win32 and Linux platforms.
TA-Lib is a common building block that can be re-used among all these higher level projects:
Charting software.
Software for back testing of trading strategies.
Genetic algorithm for strategy optimization.
Financial data server / maintainer / converter.
Quantitative analysis software
etc...
What is that "technical analysis" stuff anyway?
When it comes to investment, there is basically two approach. The fundamental (base on what the company is doing, the quality of the management, the projected earnings etc…) and the technical analysis (base on the study of the historical price data).
The technical analysis method have a tendency to be mechanical/mathematical and attempts often to eliminate subjectivity in the decision process of performing trades.
This is a very large subject beyond the scope of this FAQ. You will find plenty of information through the net. Here is some starting point: Invest-FAQ, Google Directory, Open Directory
Where can I get more information?
Use the TA-Lib forum hosted by TADoc.org.