The term 'alpha' is used to describe the entire algorithm. Therefore, 'alpha'
produces insights. From this we have things like IAlphaModel, which is the model
defining how insights are produced. We have IAlphaHandler, which defines how the
insights from a single 'alpha' (the algorithm) are managed, analyzed, and stored.
Types closer to the individual prediction level, such as InsightDirection, or
InsightScore relate directly to exactly 1 insight. The distinction between the
two became more clear as we developed the insights API, and from that effort it
was decided to harmonize alpha/insight terminology across the various QC systems.
Requiring a period here forces signal models to place a time frame on
when their signal is valid. This also allows consumers of signals to
have some expectation of when a prediction should come to fruition.
The risk management model is intended to check the algorithm's positions
at the end of each time step to potentially exit positions that are losing
too much.
This change includes a check to prevent users from overriding methods required
by the framework. This is non-ideal and we should perhaps look into alternatives
to this approach, which could involve additional methods on IAlgorithm. In order
to not lose access to these events at the algorithm level, we could expose them
as C# events (not sure python compatibility?)
Michael Handschuh