Geography 293: Geospatial Analysis with Python

Chapter 3 Notes:

Types of tools, batch processing. Model tools vs script tools, how to automate workflows. Dynamic naming for batch processing %Name%. Took me about 40 minutes to read thoroughly. 

Chapter review questions: 

 

Describe some of the general elements of the geoprocessing framework in ArcGIS Pro? 

Collection of tools organized into toolboxes, python window for executing python, geoprocessing history, Model Builder.

 

What are the three types of tools in ArcGIS Pro? 

Geoprocessing, analysis tools, geocoding, cartography. 

 

Explain the difference between system tools and custom tools. 

System tools are premade executable tools that you can drag and drop your files into to complete a task/output. Custom tools are obtained by the user through their own creation or collection of third-party tools. 

 

Provide examples of commonly used environments and how they impact running geoprocessing tools. 

Environments are where the workspace is located essentially, and environments can be modified to use specific values for the output of the geoprocessing tools. 

 

What are the strengths and limitations of batch processing in ArcGIS Pro? 

Batch processing uses the same tool multiple times using different parameters. Different iterations use different parameters to finish their processing. For tools with multiple input parameters, you can only choose one to use as a batch parameter. 

 

Explain the use of dynamic naming in batch processing. 

Creates a different output for each individual parameter. %Name% uses the input variable name and combines it with the remaining part of the naming scheme. %Name%_final will turn all inputs into separate outputs with their respective names. 

 

What are some of the differences and similarities between model tools and script tools in ArcGIS Pro? 

Model tools help you execute multiple tools at the same time, while script tools help you create your own detailed tool by connecting applications, better programming logic, and can be run by themselves on a stand-alone script reader. 

 

Why would you automate a specific workflow instead of a model? 

It’s more reliable to automate one workflow and observe it, rather than automating a model and trying to decipher the results after all functions are completed running. 

 

What are ways to run python code in the context of automating workflows in ArcGIS Pro? 

Scheduling python scripts to run at an exact time, by using the task scheduler.

 

Chapter 2 Notes:

The autocomplete feature allows you to not need to memorize all function/statement diction and their uses.  Explains different IDEs and their uses. How to use the python window in Arc. Explains which tools are used with the help of python for specific geoprocessing tasks. 

Quick and easy to read. Probably only took around 25 minutes. The chapter review questions are the following: 

 

What does IDE stand for? 

Integrated Development Environment.

 

What does it mean that python is an interpreted language? 

Interpreted language means that it doesn’t need to compile into binary before the script runs. 

 

Which python editor comes installed with every version of python? 

Command prompt, or IDLE (Integrated DeveLopment Environment)

 

What are some of the recommended python editors to work with ArcGIS Pro 

PyCharm, Spyder, Visual Studio

 

What are some of the differences and similarities between python editors? 

Essentially they’re similar in every aspect except Spyder is more well supported with geospatial programming and visualization. 

 

What are the general steps to install and configure each of the python editors? 

Download the python language from their website, decide which IDE you want to work with and go to their website and download the version for your operating system. Once you download the IDE of choice, follow the setup instructions and begin writing your code. I also recommend giving a designated folder to keep each python project organized and by itself. 

 

What is the default environment when working with python and ArcGIS Pro 

IDLE 

 

What is syntax highlighting? 

Syntax highlighting assigns different colors to statements, functions, text, etc. 

 

What is a file extension for a python script file? 

.py 

 

How do you open the Python window in ArcGIS Pro? 

Click the toolbox at the top of ArcGIS Pro and click open the python window. 

 

What are the two sections of the python window, and what purpose does each one serve? 

The top is the transcript, and the bottom window is called the prompt. The transcript is blank until you start scripting in the prompt window. When you run the code in the prompt, it displays the script on the above transcript window. 

 

What are some typical examples of autocompletion prompts in the python window, and how do they assist in writing proper code? 

They reduce the amount of code you need to memorize since the list of autocomplete prompts provides the name of different functions and descriptions on how to use them. This results in fewer syntax errors and is faster than typing the full name of the function. 

 

Which features of the python window illustrate that it is fully integrated with the geoprocessing framework of ArcGIS Pro? 

Most of the geoprocessing framework and data extraction/management tools in ArcGIS Pro are written in Python 3, so you are able to manipulate default python tools within the software using the Python window. Within the python geoprocessing tools, you can manipulate the script to incorporate multiple layers or rasters at once, instead of individually. 

 

Chapter 1 Notes:

Python is an interpreted language that is easy to understand and has a simple syntax. Python 3 is the latest version of python that is used with ArcGIS Pro. 

This chapter was a relatively easy read and clear to understand. This chapter just provided the basics of what Python is and shows some example scripts that you will eventually understand. This chapter took me about 20 minutes to read, so I’m not entirely sure about the questions included because I read all of the chapters before completing each review question set. I completed the end of chapter questions and they are as follows:

 

What are some of the key features of Python that make it suitable as a scripting language to work with ArcGIS Pro? 

Python is easy to learn, free and open-source, multi-OS platform use, and it is object-oriented, meaning that it can interact with multiple interacting objects within the script. 

 

What does it mean that python is an interpreted language? 

Interpreted language means that its code doesn’t need to be compiled into binary when you run it. 

 

What are some of the differences between scripting and programming? 

Scripting essentially takes components that are already made and combines them together to create something, while programming is more about creating something from the ground up on your own with unique code. 

 

Which version of python is used with ArcGIS pro? 

Python 3 is the version used with ArcGIS Pro. Python 3 was introduced as the newest version of the language in 2008. 

 

What are some of the reasons to invest time and effort into learning python? 

 Python can automate workflows and tasks to reduce the amount of time and effort into collecting and sorting data. Python is one of the most commonly used programming languages within the geospatial community.