Python Scripting for ArcGIS by Paul A. Zandbergen shows how to write Python code that works with spatial data to automate geoprocessing tasks in ArcGIS. Readers can thus learn the skill set needed to create custom tools. The book contains 14 chapters, with the corresponding data and exercises on the accompanying DVD. A 180-day trial of ArcGIS 10.1 for Desktop software is also provided as an online download.
This book is designed to make the power of Python scripting available to those who have no experience in writing code. The book starts with the basics, such as what scripting is and how to write and execute simple lines of code. Following that, the book covers how to write scripts that work with spatial data in ArcGIS for Desktop. A good familiarity with ArcGIS for Desktop is assumed, including managing data in ArcCatalog and carrying out basic tasks in ArcMap, such as manipulating data, creating cartographic output, and running tools.
You should also be familiar with the basic concepts of GIS, including coordinate systems, data formats, table operations, and basic spatial analysis methods. If you have some experience in writing code in any language, it will be helpful but is not required.
This book is also intended for upper-division undergraduate and graduate courses in GIS. A handful of colleges and universities teach upper-division courses in GIS programming and/or scripting, and this number is expected to increase. This book contains three major parts. Part 1 covers the fundamentals of geoprocessing in ArcGIS for Desktop as well as the fundamentals of the Python language. Depending on your background and experience, you may already be familiar with some or all of this material. Part 2 covers how to write scripts that work with spatial data.
This is really the core of the book and includes chapters on executing tools in Python, describing data, and manipulating and creating data, as well as a number of more specialized tasks. Part 3 covers how to create a tool out of your script and how to share your tool with others. By the end of this book, you will be able to create custom tools that use Python scripting to automate basic tasks in ArcGIS for Desktop.
Each of the 14 chapters in the book is accompanied by an exercise reinforcing the concepts covered in the chapter. All 14 exercises are included on the Data and Exercises DVD that comes with the book. You should first read the chapter and then complete the accompanying exercise before moving on to the next chapter.
Depending on your learning style and familiarity with coding, you can try some of the code in the chapters while you are reading it, but you can also first read the entire chapter and then start the exercise. You should complete the chapters and exercises in order since the concepts introduced in each new chapter build on the previous ones. To do the exercises in this book, you need to have ArcGIS 10.1 for Desktop software installed on your computer, or else download a trial version of the software.
This book will teach you techniques to automate tasks in ArcGIS. Perhaps by the end of the book, you will become a Python aficionado or perhaps you will simply be able to save yourself hours of work by using one of the scripts from the book. Whatever the case, beyond the specific skills of writing Python scripts for ArcGIS, you will also learn the basic logic of writing code. This will be helpful beyond the specific task at hand.
Key topics in this book include python language fundamentals, automating geoprocessing tasks, exploring and manipulating spatial data, working with geometries and rasters, map scripting, debugging and error handling, creating functions and classes, creating and sharing script tools.
It is a guide for experienced users of ArcGIS Desktop to get started with Python scripting without needing previous programming experience. Experience with other scripting or programming languages (Perl, VBA, VB script, Java, C++) is helpful but not required. Readers are expected to have good general ArcGIS skills and a basic understanding of geoprocessing procedures.
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