Introduction to Geoprocessing Scripts Using Python

The ArcGIS geoprocessing framework includes a scripting environment, and Python^® is the scripting language included with ArcGIS. This course introduces the Python scripting language and shows how it can be used to access and automate geoprocessing functionality. You learn Python scripting syntax, then begin writing scripts to automate geoprocessing operations. You also learn how to incorporate Python scripts as custom tools in ArcToolbox.

This course is designed for experienced ArcGIS users who want to learn how to automate everyday processes or create complex analytical scripts. ARC Macro Language (AML^TM) and Avenue^TM programmers who want to write scripts for ArcGIS will also find the course of interest. After completing this course, those who want to extend their basic Python scripting skills may wish to enroll in Writing Advanced Geoprocessing Scripts Using Python.

Those completing this course will be able to

• Understand the basics of the Python scripting language.
• Understand how scripts can be used in the ArcGIS geoprocessing framework.
• Incorporate tools and environment settings into scripts.
• Incorporate cursors, describe objects, and list objects into scripts.
• Work with scripts in ArcToolbox.
• Access resources for debugging Python code.

• The geoprocessing framework: ArcToolbox; Dialogs; Models; Command line; Scripts.
• The basics of Python: Variables; Commenting code; String concatenation; Looping; Conditional statements; Modules.
• Accessing tools and environment settings in scripts: The Geoprocessor ArcObject; Accessing the Geoprocessor from Python; Accessing tools and environment settings from Python.
• The Geoprocessor object: The Geoprocessor Programming Model, the Geoprocessor (GpDispatch) object.
• The describe objects: Access various properties for different data types (e.g., feature classes, workspaces, datasets, raster datasets, etc.).
• The list objects: Create lists of data (e.g., tables, rasters, feature classes, workspaces, fields, feature datasets, etc.).
• The cursor objects: Search cursors; Insert cursors; Update cursors.
• Incorporating scripts into the geoprocessing framework: Scripts as tools; Scripts in models.
• Finding and fixing errors: Python error handling; Identifying syntax and logical errors.

Students should have completed ArcGIS Desktop II: Tools and Functionality or Learning ArcGIS Desktop and ArcGIS Desktop III: GIS Workflows and Analysis or have equivalent knowledge. Basic programming skills, such as using loops and conditional statements, are also required.

This course is designed to work with the following software:

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