Accessing ArcPy with Python
Before you can take advantage of all the geoprocessing functionality provided by ArcPy, you must first import the package into your script. This will always be the first line of code in every geoprocessing script that you write.
Getting ready
ArcPy is a Python site package that is part of the ArcGIS 10 release, and fully encompasses the functionality provided with the arcgis scripting module at ArcGIS 9.2, which further enhances its capabilities. With ArcPy you have access to the geoprocessing tools, extensions, functions, and classes for working with ESRI GIS data. ArcPy provides code-completion and integrated documentation for the modules, classes, and functions. ArcPy can also be integrated with other Python modules to widen the scope of its capabilities. All ArcGIS geoprocessing scripts that you write with Python must first provide a reference to ArcPy.
How to do it…
Follow these steps to import the arcpy site package into the ArcGIS Python window:
Open the
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