For those that do research/model building at quant funds (i.e., not derivs quants), how important are languages like C/C++? Can you get away with just having R/Matlab in this kind of role, with the idea that proper implementation in C++ type languages will be done by developers?

Yes, you can "get away with" no C++, it does make it tougher though.

I've had several interviews with quant hedge funds, noone asked me about C++. Their quants used either Java or C#.

QuoteOriginally posted by: katastrofaI've had several interviews with quant hedge funds, noone asked me about C++. Their quants used either Java or C#.Can others confirm this? I know one of the largest market makers/high frequency prop firms uses C++ (although I guess they're not a hedge fund).

QuoteOriginally posted by: katastrofaI've had several interviews with quant hedge funds, noone asked me about C++. Their quants used either Java or C#.Was this for a research position?

Yes.

It depends on the shop, and the quant group within that shop, doing the hiring.For "greenfield" quant research you will probably be using R, MatLab or Python. It is unlikely anyone would choose to use C++ as a starting infrastructure wide language if they had the choice! Each of these languages can be optimised for execution speed sufficiently well these days via libraries such as NumPy. You do sometimes find MS tech such as C# in funds though, particularly if the operators have spun out from a bank and have taken some of their IT with them. At the fund I used to work at we made exclusive use of Python and MatLab for trading system infrastructure and research.Once you start looking at high-frequency trading firms then C and C++ will be extremely important. This is the realm of co-location, FPGAs and advanced network/socket programming, where extensive low-level programming skills are highly valued. Unfortunately for HFT firms, current low market volatility has slowed down this sector recently.