GSP 118 (318): GIS Programming

Note: This class is in the process of being updated. Pages will be marked as "Incomplete" if their content is not complete and "In Review" if they are still in review.

 

This is from a student but it really hits the mark!

Outline

Below is an outline of the presentation of topics by week:

1. Introduction
   1. PowerPoint
   2. How to use the web site
   3. What is Python and why would I want to use it?
2. Getting Started with Python and an Introduction to Arithmetic
   1. Overview of Python in ArcGIS 10
   2. Introduction to Programming in Python (in the Wingware IDE)
   3. Documenting Code
   4. Arithmetic in Python
   5. Generating Random Numbers
   6. Homework Assignment: Two Series of Numbers
3. How Computers Work With Strings, Numbers, "For" Loops (Jan 26)
   1. How Computers Work
   2. Problems with Precision and Performance
   3. Boolean Logic and "If" Statements
   4. Lists
   5. "For" Loops
   6. Homework Assignment: Numbers
   7. Homework Assignment: Lists and Loops
4. Strings and writing them to files
   1. Strings are Made Up of Characters
   2. Clicker Test 2
   3. Formatting Strings
   4. Writing to Text Files
   5. Grid ASCII File Format
   6. Creating ASCII Grid Files
   7. Homework Assignment: Writing to Files (Due Feb 17)
   8. Quiz 1
5. Reformatting Data in Text Files With Python
   1. Additional Variable Types
   2. Parsing (chopping up) Strings
   3. Reading Text Files
   4. Data Conversions
   5. Introduction to Functions
   6. Converting Coordinates
   7. Homework Assignment: Fixing File Problems and Defining Functions (Due Feb 24)
6. Accessing data on the Internet
   1. How the Internet Works
   2. Accessing Data on the Internet
   3. Handling Exceptions
   4. The XML Standard
   5. Parsing XML Data
   6. Files of Code: Modules
   7. Homework Assignment: Harvesting Data From The Internet (Due Mar 3)
7. Accessing ArcGIS from Python
   1. An Overview of ArcGIS Functions
   2. Introduction to scripting in ArcGIS 10
   3. Calling ArcGIS From Python
   4. Flavors of ArcGIS functions
   5. Finding the Format for arcpy Parameters
   6. ArcGIS Function Reference (at the bottom of this page)
   7. Homework Assignment: Calling ArcGIS (Due Mar 12)
8. Building ArcGIS tools with Python
   1. Using Python Message Boxes for Debugging
   2. Creating Custom Tools in ArcGIS
   3. Accessing Attributes
   4. Introduction to Charting
   5. A Note on Model Builder To Python
   6. Homework Assignment: Tools and Attributes (Due Mar 26 - after spring break)
9. Batch Processing With Python
   1. Batch Processing in Python
   2. Designing Software
   3. An ArcGIS Interface Module
   4. Running Python From the Command Line
   5. Debugging With Log Files
   6. Homework Assignment: Batch Processing Rasters (Due April 2)
10. User Interfaces and Classes
    1. Introduction To Classes
    2. The Python GUI
    3. Assignment: Create a spatial model of species interactions (Due April 9)
11. Other Packages (Jim at CalGIS April 14-16)
    1. Other Packages
    2. NumPy & SciPy
    3. OpenSource GIS Packages
    4. Sub-Launching Other Programs
    5. Shapefile Format
    6. Shapefile.py
    7. Documenting Programs
    8. Homework Assignment: Interacting with Packages Outside the Core (Due April 16th)
12. Creating larger projects
    1. Structuring Folders
    2. The Ultimate ArcGIS Tools
    3. Software Lifecycle
    4. Investigation
    5. Design
    6. Implementation
    7. Testing
    8. Release
    9. Maintenance
    10. Homework Assignment: TBD (Apr 23)
13. TBD (Apr 30)
    1. Homework Assignment: Work on final project
14. Where to Go From Here (May 7)
    1. Where to go from here
    2. Additional Resources
    3. Homework Assignment: Work on final project
15. Final Projects Due by midnight on Thursday at the latest!
    1. Final Exam: 8:00am Monday, present project

Final Exam: Monday, 8:00am to 9:50am

Clicker Test

ArcGIS Python Refrence (incomplete):

1. Raster (GRID) Arithmetic
2. Other Raster (GRID) Functions
3. Vector (Feature) Functions
4. Accessing Map Documents
5. Scripting the Field Calculator

Other Resources:

Official Python Website

Python Tutorial

Dive Into Python (e-book)

Link to Tracy Kugler's Examples for ArcGIS 9

PyOpenGL

tutorialspoint Python Programming