Python Programming for Arcgis 1
This class was originally developed by David Quinn and taught by David and Daniel in IAP 2010 and 2011.
Outline
Introduction to Python and Arcgis Programming Principles and Modules Model Builder
Read and Writing data
Python
Python is a language that lets you work more
quickly and integrate your systems more
effectively 1
Documentation at http://docs.python.org and look for Python 2.7 (used in Arcgis 10.1)
1
http://www.python.org
Python + Arcgis
Python can interact with Arcgis and be used to repeat many types of analyses. Why Python? It is an integral part of Arcgis Easy to read syntax Large user community Useful for scripts to control other programs
How does Python work with Arcgis
At Arcgis 10.1
Fully integrated into Arcgis
Largely Geoprocessing functions
Automated mapping is not possible, yet
Logistics
We will be using the IDLE programming environment Windows: START -> Programs -> Arcgis -> Python 2.7 -> IDLE We are using Arcgis 10.1 on lab computers and assume that you are using 10.1 if you are using your own laptop
Programming concepts
Variables Control Structures (IF statements and FOR loops) Functions
Python is case sensitive and reads whitespace for defining programming blocks use space bar, not tabs.
The Print Function and Strings
# this is a comment print hello world Alternative Commenting Style
The Print function and Strings
# this is a comment print hello world # this is a variable that contains a string name = Daniel print name
Integers and Floats
# declare variables int_sample = 10 float_sample = 10.0
# printing variables # cast non-string variable as a string using str() print The value of this integer is: + str(int_sample) print The value of this float is: + str(float_sample)
if statement
x=2 # Condition checks if statement is true If x == 1: print x is 1!
if / elif / else statement
x=2 # Condition checks if statement is true if x == 1: print x is 1! elif x == 2: print x is 2! else: print x is not known
for loop
for i in range(3): # convention is to use 4 spaces to indent # python reads whitespace at the beginning of a line print i
Python, like most programming languages, uses arrrays that are zero based.
while loop
# define j j=1 # while less than some condition while j < 3: print j # increment j j += 1
Three ways to access a folder
# Accessing a folder path = C:\\folderName\\ path = C:/folderName/
path = rC:\folderName\
Importing Modules
Use the import command: # count the number of files in a directory import os files = os.listdir(path) len(files) A module is a list of Python programs that can be accessed. Commonly used modules are os, sys, glob.
glob
import glob # use the glob module path = C:\\users\\dsheehan\\2012_work\\JPAL\\ # loop through all files for i in glob.glob(path + *): print i Try replacing * with *.shp
Importing the Arcgis module
At 10.0 and 10.1 import arcpy At 9.3:
import arcgisscripting
Exercise 1: Reading folder contents
Download zip file from course site:
Using the glob module, print out:
a list of all of the files a list of shapefiles
Model Builder
Exercise 2: ModelBuilder
Using ModelBuilder: Buffer interstateHighways.shp (500 meters)
Units of data is meters
Clip cambridgeSchools.shp with buffer Export model as Python
Catching exceptions
Try:
<your code> except: print arcpy.GetMessages() raise
Overwriting files
from arcpy import env
env.overwriteOutput = True
Exercise 3: Convert ModelBuilder Code into a loop
Using the code from ModelBuilder Identify relative filepaths and restructure code Iterate through this loop 2 times, buffering 500 meters, 1000 meters Intersect cambridgeSchools.shp with buffer and make 2 new shapefiles
Writing to a text file
# Create a file (w means create a new file, a appends to an existing file, will create it if it doesnt already exist) f = open(C:\\users\\dsheehan\\test.txt, w) # Write to a file f.write(Contents of file + \n)
f.flush() # flushes buffer f.close() # closes file
Exercise 4: File Manipulation
Create a folder called temp_folder : Make 5 text files called File1.txt, File2.txt, etc. Write a string in each file
