QuantConnect Python Algorithm Project:

Before we enable python support, follow the installation instructions to get LEAN running C# algorithms in your machine.

Install Python 3.6:

Windows

1. Use the Windows x86-64 MSI installer from python.org or Anaconda for Windows installer
2. When asked to select the features to be installed, make sure you select "Add python.exe to Path"
3. [Optional] Create PYTHONHOME system variables which value must be the location of your python installation (e.g. C:\Python36amd64 or C:\Anaconda3):
   1. Right mouse button on My Computer. Click Properties.
   2. Click Advanced System Settings -> Environment Variables -> System Variables
   3. Click New.
      • Name of the variable: PYTHONHOME.
      • Value of the variable: python installation path.
4. Install pandas and its dependencies.
5. Install Visual C++ for Python 2.7
6. Install .NET Framework 3.5:
   1. Open the Control Panel
   2. Click on Programs and Features, then Turn Windows Features On or Off
   3. Mark ".NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0)"

macOS

1. Follow "Installing on macOS" instructions from Anaconda documentation page.
2. Install pandas and its dependencies.
3. Install pkg-config

Linux

By default, miniconda is installed in the users home directory ($HOME):

export PATH="$HOME/miniconda3/bin:$PATH"
wget https://cdn.quantconnect.com/miniconda/Miniconda3-4.3.31-Linux-x86_64.sh
bash Miniconda3-4.3.31-Linux-x86_64.sh -b
rm -rf Miniconda3-4.3.31-Linux-x86_64.sh
sudo ln -s $HOME/miniconda3/lib/libpython3.6m.so /usr/lib/libpython3.6m.so
conda update -y python conda pip
conda install -y cython pandas

Install clang and glib 2.0:

sudo apt-get -y install clang libglib2.0-dev

Note: There is a known issue with python 3.6.5 that prevents pythonnet installation, please downgrade python to version 3.6.4:

conda install -y python=3.6.4

Run python algorithm

1. At Lean root directory, run the setup script:

python setup.py

It will install QuantConnect's version of pythonnet in your system.

2. Update the config to run the python algorithm:

"algorithm-type-name": "BasicTemplateAlgorithm",
"algorithm-language": "Python",
"algorithm-location": "../../../Algorithm.Python/BasicTemplateAlgorithm.py",

3. Rebuild LEAN.
4. Run LEAN. You should see the same result of the C# algorithm you tested earlier.

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Python.Runtime.dll compilation

LEAN users do not need to compile Python.Runtime.dll. The information below is targeted to developers who wish to improve it.

Download QuantConnect/pythonnet github clone or downloading the zip. If downloading the zip - unzip to a local pathway.

Note: QuantConnect's version of pythonnet is an enhanced version of pythonnet with added support for System.Decimal and System.DateTime.

Below we can find the compilation flags that create a suitable Python.Runtime.dll for each operating system.

Windows

msbuild pythonnet.sln /nologo /v:quiet /t:Clean;Rebuild /p:Platform=x64 /p:PythonInteropFile="interop36.cs" /p:Configuration=ReleaseWin /p:DefineConstants="PYTHON36,PYTHON3,UCS2"

macOS

msbuild pythonnet.sln /nologo /v:quiet /t:Clean;Rebuild /p:Platform=x64 /p:PythonInteropFile="interop36m.cs" /p:Configuration=ReleaseMono /p:DefineConstants="PYTHON36,PYTHON3,UCS4,MONO_OSX,PYTHON_WITH_PYMALLOC"

Linux

msbuild pythonnet.sln /nologo /v:quiet /t:Clean;Rebuild /p:Platform=x64 /p:PythonInteropFile="interop36m.cs" /p:Configuration=ReleaseMono /p:DefineConstants="PYTHON36,PYTHON3,UCS4,MONO_LINUX,PYTHON_WITH_PYMALLOC"