Glossary
A shared vocabulary for Interactive Brokers, TWS, Gateway, market data, order handling, backtesting, portfolio metrics, and Python workflows.
IBKR
Interactive Brokers account, contract, routing, and API concepts.
7 terms
TWS
Trader Workstation terms for desktop API development and manual review.
5 terms
Gateway
IB Gateway terms for lighter, longer-running API sessions.
3 terms
Market data
Live, delayed, historical, and permissioned data terms.
8 terms
Orders
Order types, identifiers, controls, and safety vocabulary.
8 terms
Backtesting
Research validation terms and common sources of overstatement.
7 terms
Portfolio metrics
Return, risk, exposure, and performance measurement terms.
8 terms
Python
Python environment, data, async, and reproducibility terms.
8 terms
Results
The local network interface that TWS or IB Gateway exposes so Python clients can connect to the IBKR API.
Related: client ID, localhost, trusted IPs
The local port numbers used by TWS or Gateway for API connections. Paper and live sessions often use different defaults and local settings can override them.
Related: API socket, paper trading, connection refused
A TWS or Gateway setting that allows API clients to read account or market data while blocking order placement through that connection.
Related: order safety, account summary, positions
IBKR's desktop trading application. Developers often use TWS while building because the UI makes account state, orders, logs, and settings visible.
Related: API socket, IB Gateway, paper trading port
A local API security setting that limits which network addresses may connect to the TWS or Gateway socket.
Related: localhost, API socket, security
This content is for educational and technical research purposes only. It is not financial advice, investment advice, trading advice, tax advice, or legal advice. Backtests and examples may contain errors or omissions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Always test code in a safe environment before using it with real accounts or live trading systems.
Interactive Brokers, IBKR, Trader Workstation, and IB Gateway are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. InQuantWeTrust is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Interactive Brokers.
