About TA-Lib/ta-lib
TA-Lib (Technical Analysis Library) is an open-source C/C++ library providing functions for technical analysis of financial time series. It is the official home for the C/C++ implementation, replacing the original SourceForge project. The library includes indicators such as moving averages, oscillators, and pattern recognition, and has bindings available for Java, Rust, C#, and Python. Licensed under BSD-3-Clause, it is widely used in trading systems and financial analysis tools.
Key Features
Core C/C++ library for technical analysis of financial time series
Supports a wide range of technical indicators including moving averages, oscillators, and pattern recognition
Multi-language bindings: Java, Rust, C#, Python
Open source under BSD-3-Clause license
Official home for C/C++ TA-Lib, migrated from SourceForge
Community-driven with proposal repository for new functions
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Mature, widely-used library with a long history in financial analysis
- Open source with permissive BSD-3 license
- Multi-language support through official bindings
- Active GitHub repository with community contributions
- Core written in C/C++ for performance
Cons
- Requires compilation and integration into existing projects
- Not a standalone application; aimed at developers
- Documentation may be sparse for some functions
Best For
Financial market analysis and trading indicator calculationAlgorithmic trading systems developmentQuantitative finance research and backtestingData analysis and series analysis in financial applications
FAQ
What is TA-Lib?
TA-Lib (Technical Analysis Library) is an open-source C/C++ library that provides functions for technical analysis of financial time series, including indicators, pattern recognition, and series analysis.
What programming languages does TA-Lib support?
The core library is in C/C++. Official bindings are available for Java, Rust, C#, and Python.
How can I propose a new TA function?
First, document the algorithm with sample input/output in the ta-lib-proposal-drafts repository on GitHub.
Is TA-Lib free to use?
Yes, TA-Lib is open source under the BSD-3-Clause license and free to use.