Python For ArcGIS

Module 1 – Python Programming Fundamentals

• Where to Write Code
• How to Run Code in PythonWin and PyScripter
• How to Pass Input to a Script
• Python Components

Module 2 - Basic Data Types: Numbers and Strings

• Numbers
• What Is a String?
• String Operations
• More Things with Strings (a.k.a. String Methods)
• File Paths and Raw Strings
• Unicode Strings
• Printing Strings and Numbers

Module 3 - Basic Data Types: Lists and Tuples

• Lists
• Tuples
• Syntax Check and Tracebacks

Module 4 - ArcGIS and Python

• ArcToolbox
• ArcGIS Python Resources
• Exporting Models
• Working with GIS Data
• ArcGIS + Python = arcpy
• arcpy Functions
• Environment Settings

Module 5 - Calling Tools with Arcpy

• Calling Tools
• Help Resources
• Tool Parameters
• Return Values and Result Objects
• Spatial Analyst Toolbox
• Temporary Feature Layers
• Using Variables for Multiple Tool Calls
• Calling Custom Tools
• A Word About Old Scripts

Module 6 - Getting User Input

• Hard-coding versus Soft-coding
• Using GetParameterAsText
• Using sys.argv
• Missing Arguments
• Argument Spacing
• Handling File Names and Paths with os Module Functions

Module 7 - Controlling Flow

• Outlining Workfl ow

Module 8 - Decision-Making and Describing Data

• Conditional Expressions
• ArcGIS Tools That Make Selections
• Getting a Description of the Data
• Required and Optional Script Input
• Creating Output Directories

Module 9 - Repetition: Looping for Geoprocessing

• Looping Syntax
• Nested Code Blocks
• Directory Inventory
• Indentation and the TabNanny

Module 10 - Batch Geoprocessing

• List GIS Data
• Specify Data Name and Type
• List Fields
• Administrative Lists
• Batch Geoprocess Lists of Data
• Debug: Step Through Code

Module 11 - Additional Looping Functions

• List Comprehension
• The Built-in enumerate Function
• The Built-in zip Function
• Walking Through Subdirectories

Module 12 – Debugging

• Syntax Errors
• Exceptions
• Logic Errors
• PythonWin Debugging Toolbar
• Running in Debug Mode
• PyScripter Debugging Toolbar
• Debugging Tips

Module 13 – Error Handling

• try/except Structures
• Geoprocessing and Error Handling
• Catching Exceptions in Loops

Module 14 – User-Defined Functions

• A Word About Function Words
• Custom Functions with Arguments
• Returning Values
• When to Write Functions
• Variables Inside and Outside of Functions

Module 15 – User-Defined Modules

• Importing User-Defined Modules
• Using Functions in Another Module
• Modifying User-Defined Modules (Reload!)
• Am I the Main Module? What’s My Name?
• Time Handling Example

Module 16 – Reading and Writing with Cursors

• Introduction to Cursors
• Reading Rows
• The Field Names Parameter
• The Shape Field and Geometry Tokens
• Looping with Cursors
• Locking
• Update Cursors
• Insert Cursors
• Selecting Rows with SQL

Module 17 – Dictionaries

• Dictionary Terms and Syntax
• Dictionary Operations and Methods
• Populating a Dictionary

Module 18 – Reading and Writing Text Files

• Working with fi le Objects
• Parsing Line Contents
• Modifying Text Files
• Pickling

Module 19 – Working with HTML and KML

• Working with HTML
• Fetching and Uncompressing Data
• Working with KML

Module 20 – Classes

• Why Use OOP?
• Defining a Class
• Object Initialization and Self
• Using Class Objects
• Where to Defi ne a Class
• Classes Within a Separate User-Defi ned Module

Module 21 – User Interfaces for File and Folder Selection

• A Simple Interface with raw_input
• File Handling with tkFileDialog

Module 22 – ArcGIS Python GUIs

• Creating a Script Tool
• Creating a GUI
• Showing Progress
• Validating Input
• Python Toolboxes

Module 23 – Mapping Module

• Map Documents
• Working with Data Frames
• Working with Layers
• Managing Layout Elements