Discover how algorithmic trading actually works—without the hype. This book pulls back the curtain on automated systems, showing you how to develop, test, and run your own trading strategies using Python and open-source tools. You will learn to parse market data, design rules-based and machine-learning strategies, avoid common backtesting traps, and transition from simulation to live markets safely. Every chapter emphasizes real-world risk: most systematic traders lose money, past performance never guarantees future results, and leverage can wipe out your account. No get-rich-quick promises here—only honest, practical guidance for anyone curious about building trading algorithms responsibly. Whether you are a developer exploring finance or a trader wanting to automate decisions, this book equips you with a clear framework to design, evaluate, and maintain your own systems. Part of The AI Trading Library.