GIS 540

GIS Programming Fundamentals

This course explains principles of computer programming for ArcGIS. The Python programming language is used to demonstrate these concepts. The course assumes no programming background. We start with Python syntax and language elements. Python scripting is used to efficiently run ArcGIS tools, read text files of data and ArcGIS attribute tables, interact with map elements, manipulate batches of GIS data, and create basic user interfaces.  Assignments are preformed in Python, ArcGIS, and PythonWin. Teaching techniques incorporate hands-on learning in a stimulating, interactive classroom environment. Students completing this course will be armed to streamline GIS work-flow and build reusable applications.

Topics
  1. Introduction to programming: flow control, data structures, pseudocode, IDEs, debugging, flow control, object-oriented programming, programming style
  2. Python basics: data structures (strings, lists, tuples, dictionaries), for/while loops, file input/ouput, modules, classes, file GUIs
  3. Python for GIS: Calling ArcGIS tools, setting environment variables, describing GIS data, reading/writing GIS attribute tables, messaging, mapping, script tools, tool validator, progressor
  4. Additional topics: call Python from Modelbuilder, write HTML with Python, Arc buttons

Sample Student Projects:

aSediment Transport Research Test Bed
-Nathan J. Lyons		 bMeasuring Impervious Surface for Raleigh Properties
-JR Greco
cCreating Map on the Cell Phone
-Ali Ihsan Durmaz		 dHurricane Irene Erosion Analysis of the Outer Banks in Carteret County, NC Using LiDAR Data
-Leslie John Sox
e Potential Core Forest Conservation Areas in the Southern Blue Ridge Ecoregion
-Rachel Albritton		 a Integrating GPS data and geotagged photographs into ArcMap and Google Earth for watershed analysis
-Megan Culler

More projects...

Programming Language:

Python is used as the scripting language because it is a nice 'starter' programming language. It is a highly readable language. It has an uncluttered visual layout, using English keywords frequently where other languages use punctuation. Some languages require a lot of set-up code before the simple procedure of outputting text is performed. With Python this is not so. For example, the code you need to print Hello is print "Hello".

Topics:

Course Schedule

1. Introduction to Python (1 week)
2. Data structures, geoprocessor object & tools (1 week)
3. Getting user input, flow control (conditional statements/loops), describing GIS data, (1 week)
4. Debugging and batch processing (1 week)
5. Messaging, error handling (1.5 weeks)
6. Functions, Reading and modifying GIS tables (1 week)
7. Dictionaries, reading and writing text data tables, GUI's (1.5 weeks)
8. Code reuse: modules, classes (1 week)
9. Manipulating maps, script tools (1.5 weeks)
10. ToolValidator, progressor (1 week)
11. Writing/parsing HTML and KML (1.5 weeks)
12. Fetching and uncompressing data (0.5 week)

Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to…

  • interpret basic Python syntax (indentation, context highlighting)
  • write Python scripts in an integrated development environment  (PythonWin)
  • use Python to construct code using core data structures (strings, lists, …)
  • call ArcGIS tools with Python (arcpy.buffer…)
  • handle contingencies within Python  (if, else…)
  • construct basic batch processing Python code (looping)
  • read/modify data files with Python
  • create a graphical user interface
  • do more…