Learning ArcGIS Python Scripting

Learn how to automate tasks in ArcGIS using Python scripting. Find out how to manipulate maps, execute commands, and read and write files with custom Python scripts.

Introduction

• Getting started with Python in ArcGIS
• What you should know before watching this course
• ArcGIS project files throughout this course

1. Introduction to Scripting and the Python Language

• Scripting overview
• Where Python is used in ArcGIS
• Where to write your scripts: ArcGIS Notebooks
• Write your first Python script
• Python syntax rules
• Comments and pseudocode

2. Strings, Numbers, and Variables

• Use variables to make scripts flexible
• Work with numeric values
• Work with strings
• Working with strings in ArcGIS
• String manipulation
• String methods and functions

3. Getting to ArcGIS with Python

• Object-oriented programming (OOP) overview
• Incorporating Python libraries in a script
• The ArcPy library
• Writing a script that uses ArcPy
• ArcPy objects, properties, and methods
• Geoprocessing with Python and ArcPy
• Model builder for jump-starting your script
• The ArcGIS API for Python library: Getting to web GIS

4. Using List Functions to Get to the ArcGIS Objects

• Working with lists
• List methods and functions
• Use loops to work with lists
• Write a script using list methods and a for-loop
• Nested loops
• Conditional statements
• Write a script using ArcGIS API
• Getting to the properties of GIS data with Describe
• Challenge: Properties of layers
• Solution: Properties of layers

5. Reading from and Writing to a File

• Read from and write to a text file
• Write a script that reads from and writes to a file
• Write a script that records broken links
• Challenge: Describe feature classes and write to a file
• Solution: Describe feature classes and write to a file

6. Attaching Your Script to a Tool in ArcGIS Pro

• Making scripts dynamic
• Creating a custom toolbox

7. Creating Help Documentation for a Script

• Creating help documentation for a script tool

Conclusion

• Next steps and additional resources