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ArcPy and ArcGIS
ArcPy and ArcGIS

ArcPy and ArcGIS: Automating ArcGIS for Desktop and ArcGIS Online with Python , Second Edition

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ArcPy and ArcGIS

Creating the First Python Script

With the Python environment configured to fit our needs, we can now create and execute ArcPy scripts. To ease into the creation of Python scripts, this chapter will use ArcGIS ModelBuilder to model a simple analysis, and export it as a Python script. ModelBuilder is very useful for creating Python scripts. It has an operational and a visual component, and all models can be outputted as Python scripts, where they can be further customized.

This chapter we will cover the following topics:

  • Modeling a simple analysis using ModelBuilder
  • Exporting the model out to a Python script
  • Windows file paths versus Pythonic file paths
  • String formatting methods

Prerequisites

The following are the prerequisites for this chapter: ArcGIS 10x and Python 2.7, with arcpy available as a module.

For this chapter, the accompanying data and scripts should be downloaded from Packt Publishing's website. The completed scripts are available for comparison purposes, and the data will be used for this chapter's analysis. To run the code and test code examples, use your favorite IDE or open the IDLE (Python GUI) program from the Start Menu/ArcGIS/Python2.7 folder after installing ArcGIS for Desktop. Use the built-in "interpreter" or code entry interface, indicated by the triple chevron >>> and a blinking cursor.

ModelBuilder

ArcGIS has been in development since the 1970s. Since that time, it has included a variety of programming languages and tools to help GIS users automate analysis and map production. These include the Avenue scripting language in the ArcGIS 3x series, and the ARC Macro Language (AML) in the ARCInfo Workstation days, as well as VBScript up until ArcGIS 10x, when Python was introduced. Another useful tool introduced in ArcGIS 9x was ModelBuilder, a visual programming environment used for both modeling analysis and creating tools that can be used repeatedly with different input feature classes.

A useful feature of ModelBuilder is an export function, which allows modelers to create Python scripts directly from a model. This makes it easier to compare how parameters in a ModelBuilder tool are accepted as compared to how a Python script calls the same tool and supplies its...

Exporting the model and adjusting the script

While modeling analysis in ModelBuilder has its drawbacks, there is one fantastic option built into ModelBuilder: the ability to create a model, and then export the model to Python. Along with the ArcGIS Help Documentation, it is the best way to discover the correct Python syntax to use when writing ArcPy scripts.

Create a folder that can hold the exported scripts next to the SanFrancisco geodatabase (for example, C:\\ProjectsScripts). This will hold both the exported scripts that ArcGIS automatically generates, and the versions that we will build from those generated scripts. Now, perform the following steps:

  1. Open up the model called Chapter2Model1.
  2. Click on the Model menu in the upper-left side of the screen.
  3. Select Export from the menu.
  4. Select To Python Script.
  5. Save the script as Chapter2Model1.py.
Note that there is also the option...

String manipulation

There are three major methods for inserting variables into strings. Each has different advantages and disadvantages of a technical nature. It's good to know about all three, as they have uses beyond our needs here, so let's review them.

String manipulation method 1: string addition

String addition seems like an odd concept at first, as it would not seem possible to "add" strings together, unlike integers or floats which are numbers. However, within Python and other programming languages, this is a normal step. Using the plus sign "+", strings are "added" together to make longer strings, or to allow variables to be added into the middle of existing strings. Here are...

The ArcPy tools

After the import statements and the variable definitions, the next section of the script is where the analysis is executed. The same tools that we created in the model--the Select, Buffer, and Intersect tools--are included in this section. The same parameters that we supplied in the model are also included here: the inputs and outputs, plus the SQL statement in the Select tool, and the buffer distance in the Buffer tool.

The tool parameters are supplied to the tools in the script in the same order as they appear in the tool interfaces in the model. Here is the Select tool in the script:

arcpy.Select_analysis(Bus_Stops, Inbound71, "NAME = '71 IB' AND BUS_SIGNAG = 'Ferry Plaza'")  

It works like this: the arcpy module has a "method", or tool, called Select_analysis. This method, when called, requires three parameters: the input...

The final script

Here is how the script should look in the end:

# Chapter2Model1Modified.py 
# Import arcpy module
import arcpy
import csv

arcpy.env.overwriteOutput = True

# Local variables:
Bus_Stops = r"C:\Projects\SanFrancisco.gdb\SanFrancisco\Bus_Stops"
CensusBlocks2010 =
r"C:\Projects\SanFrancisco.gdb\SanFrancisco\CensusBlocks2010"
Inbound71 = r"C:\Projects\SanFrancisco.gdb\Chapter2Results\Inbound71"
Inbound71_400ft_buffer =
r"C:\Projects\SanFrancisco.gdb\Chapter2Results\Inbound71_400ft_buffer"
Intersect71Census =
r"C:\Projects\SanFrancisco.gdb\Chapter2Results\Intersect71Census"

# Process: Select
arcpy.Select_analysis(Bus_Stops,
Inbound71,
"NAME = '71 IB' AND BUS_SIGNAG = 'Ferry Plaza'")

# Process: Buffer
arcpy.Buffer_analysis(Inbound71,
...

Summary

In this chapter, you learned how to craft a model of an analysis and export it out to a script. In particular, you learned how to use ModelBuilder to create an analysis and export it out as a script and how to adjust the script to be more "Pythonic". After explaining about the auto-generated script, we adjusted the script to include a results analysis and summation, which was outputted to a CSV file. We also briefly touched on the use of Search Cursors, which will be covered in greater detail in Chapter 3, ArcPy Cursors: Search, Insert, and Update. Also, we saw how built-in modules such as the csv module can be used along with ArcPy to capture analysis output in formatted spreadsheets.

In the next chapter, we will investigate the powerful data access module and its Search Cursors, Update Cursors, and Insert Cursors.

...
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Key benefits

  • - Perform GIS analysis faster by automating tasks.
  • - Access the spatial data contained within shapefiles and geodatabases and transform between spatial reference systems.
  • - Automate the mapping of geospatial analyses and production of map books.

Description

ArcGIS allows for complex analyses of geographic information. The ArcPy module is used to script these ArcGIS analyses, providing a productive way to perform geo-analyses and automate map production. The second edition of the book focuses on new Python tools, such as the ArcGIS API for Python. Using Python, this book will guide you from basic Python scripting to advanced ArcPy script tools. This book starts off with setting up your Python environment for ArcGIS automation. Then you will learn how to output maps using ArcPy in MXD and update feature class in a geodatabase using arcpy and ArcGIS Online. Next, you will be introduced to ArcREST library followed by examples on querying, updating and manipulating ArcGIS Online feature services. Further, you will be enabling your scripts in the browser and directly interacting with ArcGIS Online using Jupyter notebook. Finally, you can learn ways to use of ArcPy to control ArcGIS Enterprise and explore topics on deployments, data quality assurances, data updates, version control, and editing safeguards. By the end of the book, you will be equipped with the knowledge required to create automated analysis with administration reducing the time-consuming nature of GIS.

Who is this book for?

If you are a GIS student or professional who needs an understanding of how to use ArcPy to reduce repetitive tasks and perform analysis faster, this book is for you. It is also a valuable book for Python programmers who want to understand how to automate geospatial analyses and implement ArcGIS Online data management.

What you will learn

  • - Understand how to integrate Python into ArcGIS and make GIS analysis faster and easier.
  • - Create Python script using ArcGIS ModelBuilder.
  • - Learn to use ArcGIS online feature services and the basics of the ArcGIS REST API
  • - Understand the unique Python environment that is new with ArcGIS Pro
  • - Learn about the new ArcGIS Python API and how to use Anaconda and Jupyter with it
  • - Learn to control ArcGIS Enterprise using ArcPy
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Publication date : Jun 29, 2017
Length: 272 pages
Edition : 2nd
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781787282513
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ISBN-13 : 9781787282513
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Table of Contents

12 Chapters
Introduction to Python for ArcGIS Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Creating the First Python Script Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
ArcPy Cursors - Search, Insert, and Update Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
ArcPy Geometry Objects and Cursors Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Creating a Script Tool Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
The arcpy.mapping Module Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Advanced Analysis Topics Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Introduction to ArcGIS Online Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
ArcPy and ArcGIS Online Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
ArcREST Python Package Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
ArcPy and ArcGIS Pro Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
ArcGIS API for Python Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customer reviews

Rating distribution
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
(3 Ratings)
5 star 100%
4 star 0%
3 star 0%
2 star 0%
1 star 0%
Jessica S Oct 10, 2019
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Ordered for school!
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Briannne Aug 19, 2019
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
I was nervous about buying this book because there were no reviews so I decided to write something up so it helps people in the future. I have written a couple scripts before for use with ArcMap so I was familiar with a lot of the basics but I wanted something to use as reference for my desk. Also I can skim it occasionally to just see some things I could use in future scripts. This book would probably not be super great for someone trying to learn from the ground up but if you have some basic understanding its great, especially for the less obvious tools. (The things you can do that can't be found in ArcToolbox) It turned out to be exactly what I wanted. The lessons are pretty similar to what you would find online, descriptions, sample scripts, etc. But it goes the extra mile, like I said introducing some modules you wouldn't even think of naturally.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Varun Singh Mar 24, 2018
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Customization in the field of GIS is an important domain. Book provides valuable information regarding automating the geoprocessing tasks in a systematic way.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
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