Introduction

Over the years, Esri products have supported many different expression and scripting languages. These have included AML, Avenue, JScript, VB Script, SQL, and Python. Some of these languages were developed by Esri, such as AML and Avenue, while others were common IT industry languages, such as JScript, VB Script, Python, and SQL. Each of these were suited to specific uses on the desktop, servers, or online. However, now we find ourselves regularly having to work in all these environments at the same time. We create a map in ArcGIS Pro on our desktop, then publish to ArcGIS Enterprise, and later access it through the web on a mobile device.

This has begun to cause a problem as we work through these environments. Sometimes things we create that work great on the desktop do not translate to server or internet environments. This is often true for labels and symbology. So, to help bridge that gap, Esri has developed what they are calling a new expression language, Arcade.

Arcade is...