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Python Scripting for ArcGIS
This book is a guide for experienced users of ArcGIS(R) 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. There are 14 chapters with corresponding exercises on an accompanying DVD.
358 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
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187 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 11, 2018
Super specialized but quite good. I wish there was a better implementation of Bloom's taxonomy in most of the esri books and it's the same with this one.
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December 30, 2019i'd rather have teeth pulled without novocaine than ever read this again.
January 1, 2014
As someone who is not a programmer and a novice Python user, I was very glad to see Paul Zandbergen’s Python Scripting for ArcGIS released earlier this year. In the past I had referenced other introductory Python texts and standalone tutorials, but had not been able to find a comprehensive volume that dealt specifically with Python in ArcGIS. This new book from Esri Press fills that informational gap very well and offers a solid introduction to Python and the ArcPy site package.
This book is intended for established ArcGIS users who are interested in learning about scripting and automation of tasks. The author suggests that some programming background is useful, but not required, as the book is primarily written with the novice coder in mind. Personally, it was helpful for me to already be familiar with Python syntax, as the author does not cover it until chapter 4, and some basic programming logic. It is worth noting that this book is written for ArcGIS version 10.1, as the code and exercises will require the ArcPy site package which became available with the version 10 release. A 180 day trial version of ArcGIS for Desktop 10.1 comes with the book for those who may not have access to the software or extensions, such as Spatial Analyst, that are used in the exercises.
The text is organized into four sections, covering a total of 14 chapters, with each chapter including a corresponding exercise. The first section introduces the Python language and covers basic geoprocessing, as well as an introduction to PythonWin and the interactive Python window in ArcGIS. In chapter 4 we finally get introduced to the fundamentals of the Python language, including proper syntax. The second section is the real core of the book where the reader is introduced to the ArcPy site package and then gets to practice exploring and manipulating spatial data using Python scripting. Section 3 goes into more specialized tasks, such as automating exporting and printing maps, fixing broken data sources, debugging and error handling, and creating Python functions and classes. The book wraps up with two chapters on creating and sharing custom tools.
Each chapter’s concepts and code build on the previous chapters, and the exercises enforce the concepts learned. Unfortunately, some of the exercises were just mirrors of the examples discussed in the book, particularly in the first few chapters, so these didn’t feel as informative or useful. A necessary evil of many of the exercises was going back and forth between ArcMap and PythonWin. Because ArcMap puts locks on data and some scripts are not able to run successfully with both programs open, the user is frequently called upon to open and close both programs, which can be frustrating with ArcMap’s slower load time. One of the things that I truly appreciated about this book was the opportunity to work on the ‘Challenge’ exercises at the end of each chapter exercise. These really got me thinking and doing, which helped me learn more effectively than just reading and following step-by-step instructions.
Overall, Python Scripting for ArcGIS is a thorough introduction to using Python in ArcGIS and a great way to start learning how to automate the sometimes tedious geoprocessing tasks that we are all called upon to do. This book would be a fantastic addition to any GIS professional’s bookshelf.
This book is intended for established ArcGIS users who are interested in learning about scripting and automation of tasks. The author suggests that some programming background is useful, but not required, as the book is primarily written with the novice coder in mind. Personally, it was helpful for me to already be familiar with Python syntax, as the author does not cover it until chapter 4, and some basic programming logic. It is worth noting that this book is written for ArcGIS version 10.1, as the code and exercises will require the ArcPy site package which became available with the version 10 release. A 180 day trial version of ArcGIS for Desktop 10.1 comes with the book for those who may not have access to the software or extensions, such as Spatial Analyst, that are used in the exercises.
The text is organized into four sections, covering a total of 14 chapters, with each chapter including a corresponding exercise. The first section introduces the Python language and covers basic geoprocessing, as well as an introduction to PythonWin and the interactive Python window in ArcGIS. In chapter 4 we finally get introduced to the fundamentals of the Python language, including proper syntax. The second section is the real core of the book where the reader is introduced to the ArcPy site package and then gets to practice exploring and manipulating spatial data using Python scripting. Section 3 goes into more specialized tasks, such as automating exporting and printing maps, fixing broken data sources, debugging and error handling, and creating Python functions and classes. The book wraps up with two chapters on creating and sharing custom tools.
Each chapter’s concepts and code build on the previous chapters, and the exercises enforce the concepts learned. Unfortunately, some of the exercises were just mirrors of the examples discussed in the book, particularly in the first few chapters, so these didn’t feel as informative or useful. A necessary evil of many of the exercises was going back and forth between ArcMap and PythonWin. Because ArcMap puts locks on data and some scripts are not able to run successfully with both programs open, the user is frequently called upon to open and close both programs, which can be frustrating with ArcMap’s slower load time. One of the things that I truly appreciated about this book was the opportunity to work on the ‘Challenge’ exercises at the end of each chapter exercise. These really got me thinking and doing, which helped me learn more effectively than just reading and following step-by-step instructions.
Overall, Python Scripting for ArcGIS is a thorough introduction to using Python in ArcGIS and a great way to start learning how to automate the sometimes tedious geoprocessing tasks that we are all called upon to do. This book would be a fantastic addition to any GIS professional’s bookshelf.
August 25, 2014
Used this textbook as guide for a summer Python programming course. It helped make sense of the material in light of the instructor's poor communication skills. I feel the book contributed significantly to my passing the class. The material was well-organized and easy to read through; the exercises on the DVD were key to understanding the concepts presented and getting some hands-on application. In fact, several of our assignments consisted of completing the exercises and then working through the challenge questions. Definitely a recommended reference for any beginning Python work with ArcGIS.
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September 17, 2013Very good.
Want to read
October 12, 2015trr
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January 20, 2016wefqwqf
August 17, 2016
good book
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews