Students should have completed Introduction to ArcGIS I or Learning ArcGIS Desktop, Introduction to ArcGIS II and Introduction to Geoprocessing Scripts Using Python or have equivalent knowledge. Students should have experience applying the concepts and syntax taught in the introductory course. In particular, experience writing Python scripts that contain variables, loops, and standard ArcGIS geoprocessing tools is required.

Students will learn:

• Manipulate Python's key data types, including strings, lists, and dictionaries.
• Write Python scripts to read and write text files.
• Create reusable code.
• Create scripts that read existing geometries and create new geometries.
• Work with subsets of data.
• Implement data management techniques on personal, file, and multi-user geodatabases.
• Incorporate Python scripts into the ModelBuilder environment.

Course overview:

• Working with Python data types: Strings; Lists; Dictionaries.
• Python modules and functions: Importing built-in Python modules; Getting help for functions; Manipulating strings; Creating a random selection; Controlling script termination.
• Working with geometry: Cursor objects; Point objects; Geometry object properties.
• Working with subsets of data: Feature classes vs. feature layers; Tables vs. table views; Creating a subset of fields and records.
• Managing data: SpatialReference and ValueTable objects.
• Making code reusable: Building and sharing custom tools and toolboxes.
• Working with ModelBuilder: Iterating through models; Incorporating Python scripts into models.
• Calling the geoprocessor with VBA.