FIX Algorithmic Trading Definition Language

FIXatdl (FIX Algorithmic Trading Definition Language) is a FIX Trading Community standard that defines a vendor‑neutral way to describe the user interfaces and parameters for algorithmic trading strategies, enabling consistent presentation and interpretation of algo configuration across order and execution management systems. Rather than defining trading behaviour itself, FIXatdl specifies how an algorithm’s parameters—such as controls, constraints, defaults, and validation rules—are expressed so that buy‑side firms can configure broker‑provided algorithms in a common, portable format, reducing bespoke integrations and operational risk.

As part of the broader suite of FIX Business Standards, FIXatdl complements the FIX Protocol by standardising the human‑to‑system layer of algorithmic trading, supporting interoperability while preserving firms’ freedom to innovate in their underlying execution logic. All versions of the FIX Protocol are fully supported by FIXatdl and zero changes to underlying FIX infrastructure are required.