What this book covers
Chapter 1, Automating QGIS, provides a brief overview of the different ways of using Python with QGIS, including the QGIS Python Console, standalone applications, plugins, and the Script Runner plugin. This chapter also covers setting and retrieving application settings and a few other Python-specific features.
Chapter 2, Querying Vector Data, covers extracting information from vector data without changing the data using Python. Topics include measuring, loading data from a database, filtering data, and other related processes.
Chapter 3, Editing Vector Data, introduces creating and updating data to add new information. It also teaches you how to break datasets apart based on spatial or database attributes as well as combine datasets. This chapter also teaches you how to convert data into different formats, change projections, simplify data, and more.
Chapter 4, Using Raster Data, demonstrates recipes for using and transforming raster data to create derivative products. This chapter highlights the capability of QGIS as a raster-processing engine and not just a vector GIS.
Chapter 5, Creating Dynamic Maps, transitions into recipes for controlling QGIS as a whole to control map, project, and application-level settings. It includes recipes for accessing external web services and building custom map tools.
Chapter 6, Composing Static Maps, shows you how to create printed maps using the QGIS Map Composer. You will learn to place reference elements on a map as well as design elements such as logos.
Chapter 7, Interacting with the User, teaches you to control QGIS GUI elements created by the underlying Qt framework to create interactive input widgets for scripts, plugins, or standalone applications.
Chapter 8, QGIS Workflows, contains more advanced recipes that result in a finished product or an extended capability. These recipes target actual tasks that geospatial analysts or programmers encounter on the job.
Chapter 9, Other Tips and Tricks, contains interesting recipes that fall outside the scope of previous chapters. Many of these recipes demonstrate multiple concepts within a single recipe that you may find useful for a variety of tasks.
