Chapter 4
Chapter four goes over how to import data, join tables, and provides an introduction to attribute tables and SQL queries. The first tutorial shows us how to import data and explains what a shapefile is. I am glad that the textbook covers this because we usually begin each project with the data already added, and I’ve been curious how to do it ourselves. We then used join tools throughout the chapter, which I had a bit of trouble with. Overall, this chapter was a lot more difficult than the previous chapters with finding certain tools and following the instructions, as I feel like they were more vague than they had been.
Chapter 5
Chapter five worked with global data and coordinate systems. We began by looking at the different types of map projections. We then learned how to find and change the projected coordinate systems. The next tutorial we went over was what a KML file is. Lastly, we worked with census data. I really enjoyed this tutorial because we learned how to find and download the data from different sources as well as use it within ArcGIS. Chapter five was a lot easier to follow than chapter four; however, I wish the tutorials were a little longer so we could learn how to apply these techniques in more ways.
Chapter 6
Chapter six was my favorite of these three chapters. It was super easy to go through, and everything worked the first time. I did have to go back and read through some steps I forgot how to do. This chapter used a lot of tools, so I got very comfortable with the search bar and using each of these tools. It also went in-depth on how to use and edit attribute tables. I thought it was cool that we got to learn how to cut off all the outlying features, and we learned how to export data. I didn’t comprehend all of the tools we used as much as I’d like to, but I think this chapter will be very helpful for the final project and future uses.
