That was my point...R and Python are actively used and will most likely be actively be used going forward. You can't go wrong by learning either.
If you need to loop in your analysis, you will need something like the packages I mentioned. If not, just use Excel. I've personally found some very interesting things over the course of my career using Excel.
Or, try something like TradersStudio.
Edit: As per the above post, Excel+VBA also works.
Any books/resources which are aimed specifically at traders who want to become knowledgable at python for strictly trading purposes not developing apps/programs etc.
