Re: AW: [Quickfix-developers] Tag 55 Symbol

[Joerg T. <Joe...@ma...>]

Hi Bill,

I have sorted the thread a bit to follow standard quoting conventions.

> Jörg Thönnes wrote:
>> Bill Robert Hr. wrote:
>>>In the XML files (I verified it in FIX43.xml and FIX44.xml) tag 55 
>>>Symbol is marked as mandatory.
>> 
>> What messages you are refering to? Normally a tag is mandatory for a 
>> message or component for new versions.
>> 
> Tag 55 appears in the component block instrument and therefore in all
> messages containing this block. The XML file defines only the block.
> 

Yes. For FIX 4.2, there are are some messages where Symbol is optional.

>>>In the FIX standard the tag is marked as not mandatory (4.4, 4.3 
>>>unclear), but the comments leave room for interpretation.
>> 
>> To which page/section of the standard do you refer?
>> 
> The common components are defined e.g. for 4.4 in Vol 1, Instrument, p. 34.
> You will find in the FIXimate the same information.
> 

OK, I thought you are refering to FIX 4.2, which has no compenents.

>>>I've an issue with this field as we use always tag 48/22 to identify a 
>>>security.
>> 
>> I know. We always set tag 55 to the same value as tag 48. Which exchange 
>> do you connect to?
> I have built connections to broker with tag 48 equal tag 55, with tag
> 55=NONE, with no tag 55. This was confusing and as I'm rewriting the
> requirements for inbound connections I'm searching for the "correct" way to
> do it.

No tag 55 is wrong for sure if the tag is required. "NONE" is common for 
other fields, e.g. OrderID.

Looking for the "correct way" is perfectly fine. Many FIX implementors 
do not care much about the standard and invent their own ways. QuickFIX 
shall help to harmonize views and to be standard compliant.

> After a second reading of the standard (found out what the *** are standing
> for) I would think the correct way to go is to set tag 55 to "N/A" if the
> instrument component is mandatory and you have no symbol for the security.
> If the component block is not mandatory you could omit tag 55.

OK, either "NONE" or "N/A" is probably right. I suggest to go the 
fixprotocol.org forums General Q/A and search for this issue or post a 
question to resolve it.

> As this is something which - to my knowledge - can't be defined in the XML
> file. 

What do you want to be defined? Do you have suggestions?

Cheers, Jörg

-- 
Joerg Thoennes
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