Chapter 3. Creating the First Python Script

Now that we have Python configured to fit our needs, we can create Python scripts. This chapter will explore how to use ArcGIS ModelBuilder to model a simple analysis as the basis for our script. ModelBuilder is very useful on its own and for creating Python scripts as it has an operational and a visual component, and all models can be outputted as Python scripts. This will allow us to compare how the more familiar ModelBuilder utilizes tools in the ArcToolbox to how Python handles the same tools. We will also discuss iteration and when it is best to use Python over ModelBuilder.

In this chapter, we will cover the following topics:

• Modeling a simple analysis using ModelBuilder
• Exporting the model out to a Python script