We saw how we can easily implement sophisticated statistical analyses as short pieces of Python programming. We applied basic statistical insights to all our intelligence gathering.

We learned to design Python modules. This allows us to extend the Python standard library with our own more specialized modules. We can now easily package reusable software in modules for our own purposes as well as for distribution to our network of agents.

In addition to designing modules, we also saw how to write tests to confirm that our software really works. Software can't be trusted unless there are formal unit tests to confirm that things are behaving correctly. We saw the essential ingredients of the Python language, the standard library, and the ecosystem of related projects and tools. The Python language is quite simple: it only has about 22 statements, and we saw examples of almost all of them.

At this point, each secret agent's areas of interest and expertise will start to diverge. There are numerous packages, libraries, and application areas that are open for exploration.

Since our focus is on getting field agents to be productive, we were studiously avoiding more serious software development issues. In particular, we avoided the subject of object-oriented design. An agent that needs to do more sophisticated processing will need to write more sophisticated software. A book like Python 3 Object Oriented Programming, Dusty Phillips, Packt Publishing, is essential to learn this important technique. Check http://www.packtpub.com/python-3-object-oriented-programming/book.

An agent's interests and abilities will often lead in different directions. Some agents will want to build websites. A book like Python 3 Web Development Beginner's Guide, Michel Anders, Packt Publishing, can help. Some agents will want to build interactive applications; a book like Instant Pygame for Python Game Development How-to, Ivan Idris, Packt Publishing, can help master the Pygame framework. This framework is for more than just games.

Some agents will pursue natural language processing. A book like Python 3 Text Processing with NLTK 3 Cookbook, Jacob Perkins, Packt Publishing, can help. Other agents will pursue more complex media using Python Multimedia, Ninad Sathaye, Packt Publishing or perhaps Practical Maya Programming with Python, Robert Galanakis, Packt Publishing. Agents interested in geospatial analysis might pursue Programming ArcGIS 10.1 with Python Cookbook, Eric Pimpler, Packt Publishing.

Skilled agents will find that Python can be used for a wide variety of missions.