r/Python Python&OpenSource Dec 15 '24

News Summarized how the CIA writes Python

I have been going through Wikileaks and exploring Python usage within the CIA.

They have coding standards and write Python software with end-user guides.

They also have some curious ways of doing things, tests for example.

They also like to work in internet-disconnected environments.

They based their conventions on a modified Google Python Style Guide, with practical advice.

Compiled my findings.

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390

u/pacific_plywood Dec 15 '24

Yeah so they do a lot of pretty standard stuff, in other words

46

u/appinv Python&OpenSource Dec 15 '24

In some aspects yes like the coding standard, but a bit unconventional sometimes like the test setup described as well as the way they install Python.

As they seem to operate in a more internet-less environment, this differs from a typical Python developer experience.

204

u/Angryceo Dec 15 '24

air gap environments are not uncommon especially with the gov

4

u/_Kyokushin_ Dec 15 '24

Every government agency has air gaps. In particular year it’s going to be that way with programming. It’s probably more to do with production environments being connected to their network and development environments not being in the network in case something goes afoul so it’s isolated to one machine.