Retrieving tool messages with GetMessages()

ArcPy includes a GetMessages() function that you can use to retrieve messages generated when an ArcGIS tool is executing. Messages can include informational messages, such as the start and ends times of a tool execution as well as warnings and errors, which can result in something less than the desired result or complete failure of the tool to execute to completion.

Getting ready

During the execution of a tool, various messages are generated. These messages include informational messages, such as the start and end times of a tool execution, parameter values passed to the tool, and progress information. In addition to this, warnings and errors can also be generated by the tool. These messages can be read by your Python script, and your code can be designed to appropriately handle any warnings or errors that have been generated.

ArcPy stores the messages from the last tool that was executed and you can retrieve these messages using the GetMessages...