Python Scripting for ArcGIS 1st edition by Paul Zandbergen ISBN 1589483712 9781589483712

Part 1: Learning the fundamentals of Python and geoprocessing

Chapter 1: Introducing Python

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Exploring the features of Python

1.3 Comparing scripting vs. programming

1.4 Using scripting in ArcGIS

1.5 Python history and versions

1.6 About this book

1.7 Exploring how Python is used

1.8 Choosing a Python script editor

Points to remember

Chapter 2: Geoprocessing in ArcGIS

2.1 Introduction

2.2 What is geoprocessing?

2.3 A note on ArcObjects

2.4 Using toolboxes and tools

2.5 Learning types and categories of tools

2.6 Running tools using tool dialog boxes

2.7 Specifying environment settings

2.8 Using batch processing

2.9 Using models and ModelBuilder

2.10 Using scripting

2.11 Running scripts as tools

2.12 Converting a model to a script

2.13 Scheduling a Python script to run at prescribed times

Points to remember

Chapter 3: Using the Python window

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Opening the Python window

3.3 Writing and running code

3.4 Getting assistance

3.5 Exploring Python window options

3.6 Saving your work

3.7 Loading code into the Python window

Points to remember

Chapter 4: Learning Python language fundamentals

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Locating Python documentation and resources

4.3 Working with data types and structures

4.4 Working with numbers

4.5 Working with variables and naming

4.6 Writing statements and expressions

4.7 Using strings

4.8 Using lists

4.9 Working with Python objects

4.10 Using functions

4.11 Using methods

4.12 Working with strings

4.13 Working with lists

4.14 Working with paths

4.15 Working with modules

4.16 Controlling workflow using conditional statements

4.17 Controlling workflow using loop structures

4.18 Getting user input

4.19 Commenting scripts

4.20 Working with code in the PythonWin editor

4.21 Following coding guidelines

Points to remember

Part 2: Writing scripts

Chapter 5: Geoprocessing using Python

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Using the ArcPy site package

5.3 Importing ArcPy

5.4 Working with earlier versions of ArcGIS

5.5 Using tools

5.6 Working with toolboxes

5.7 Using functions

5.8 Using classes

5.9 Using environment settings

5.10 Working with tool messages

5.11 Working with licenses

5.12 Accessing ArcGIS Desktop Help

Points to remember

Chapter 6: Exploring spatial data

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Checking for the existence of data

6.3 Describing data

6.4 Listing data

6.5 Using lists in for loops

6.6 Working with lists

6.7 Working with tuples

6.8 Working with dictionaries

Points to remember

Chapter 7: Manipulating spatial data

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Using cursors to access data

7.3 Using SQL in Python

7.4 Working with table and field names

7.5 Parsing table and field names

7.6 Working with text files

Points to remember

Chapter 8: Working with geometries

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Working with geometry objects

8.3 Reading geometries

8.4 Working with multipart features

8.5 Working with polygons with holes

8.6 Writing geometries

8.7 Using cursors to set the spatial reference

8.8 Using geometry objects to work with geoprocessing tools

Points to remember

Chapter 9: Working with rasters

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Listing rasters

9.3 Describing raster properties

9.4 Working with raster objects

9.5 Working with the ArcPy Spatial Analyst module

9.6 Using map algebra operators

9.7 Using the ApplyEnvironment function

9.8 Using classes of the arcpy.sa module

9.9 Using raster functions to work with NumPy arrays

Points to remember

Part 3: Carrying out specialized tasks

Chapter 10: Map scripting

10.1 Introduction

10.2 Working with the ArcPy mapping module

10.3 Opening map documents

10.4 Accessing map document properties and methods

10.5 Working with data frames

10.6 Working with layers

10.7 Fixing broken data sources

10.8 Working with page layout elements

10.9 Exporting maps

10.10 Printing maps

10.11 Working with PDFs

10.12 Creating map books

10.13 Using sample mapping scripts

Points to remember

Chapter 11: Debugging and error handling

11.1 Introduction

11.2 Recognizing syntax errors

11.3 Recognizing exceptions

11.4 Using debugging

11.5 Using debugging tips and tricks

11.6 Error handling for exceptions

11.7 Raising exceptions

11.8 Handling exceptions

11.9 Handling geoprocessing exceptions

11.10 Using other error-handling methods

11.11 Watching for common errors

Points to remember

Chapter 12: Creating Python functions and classes

12.1 Introduction

12.2 Creating functions

12.3 Calling functions from other scripts

12.4 Organizing code into modules

12.5 Using classes

12.6 Working with packages

Points to remember

Part 4: Creating and using script tools

Chapter 13: Creating custom tools

13.1 Introduction

13.2 Why create your own tools?

13.3 Steps to creating a tool

13.4 Editing tool code

13.5 Exploring tool parameters

13.6 Setting tool parameters

13.7 Examining an example script tool

13.8 Customizing tool behavior

13.9 Working with messages

13.10 Handling messages for stand-alone scripts and tools

13.11 Customizing tool progress information

13.12 Running a script in process

Points to remember

Chapter 14: Sharing tools

14.1 Introduction

14.2 Choosing a method for distributing tools

14.3 Handling licensing issues

14.4 Using a standard folder structure for sharing tools

14.5 Working with paths

14.6 Finding data and workspaces

14.7 Creating a geoprocessing package

14.8 Embedding scripts and password-protecting tools

14.9 Documenting tools

14.10 Example tool: Market analysis

Points to remember

Appendix A Data source credits

Index