Introduction
As previously noted this not a general Python class:
- This course is specifically designed for the geospatial field of study; the user must have an understanding of geospatial operations and software.
- The participants should have a functional understanding of the geospatial field such as might be obtained in an Introduction to GIS course.
- Since the Esri arcpy module will be used throughout the course and many of the examples use Esri ArcMap, the learner must have a copy of ArcMap installed on their computer. Note: Esri ArcMap functions only in a Windows environment, Python will run on an Apple operating system but the arcpy module will not be present since ArcMap does not run on this operating system. The described operations should work with any version of ArcMap 10.1 or higher. The screenshots for these lessons have been created on a variety of versions of Esri ArcMap including: 10.2, 10.2.1, 10.2.2, 10.3 and. 10.4.1. ArcGIS Pro uses a different version of Python and a different version of arcpy and thus the commands discussed in the first eight modules may not work in Esri ArcGIS Pro.
- Python is used in other GIS programs, such as QGIS and ArcGIS Pro. When working with QGIS this can be accomplished using an Apple computer operating system.
- Module 9 is optional.
- Python is an open source scripting language initially designed in 1991. http://python.org
- Scripting languages are different from traditional programming languages as they do not require compiling.
- Arcpy and other libraries will be used.
- A Python editor is required, you may use any editor, the author will use PythonWin and screen images will be created from this editor, except when using the ArcGIS Python Window and tool windows inside of ArcMap.
- A useful Python website: http://pythongist.weebly.com is maintained by the author.