Book Image

Programming ArcGIS 10.1 with Python Cookbook

By : Donald Eric Pimpler, Eric Pimpler
Book Image

Programming ArcGIS 10.1 with Python Cookbook

By: Donald Eric Pimpler, Eric Pimpler

Overview of this book

ArcGIS is an industry standard geographic information system from ESRI.This book will show you how to use the Python programming language to create geoprocessing scripts, tools, and shortcuts for the ArcGIS Desktop environment.This book will make you a more effective and efficient GIS professional by showing you how to use the Python programming language with ArcGIS Desktop to automate geoprocessing tasks, manage map documents and layers, find and fix broken data links, edit data in feature classes and tables, and much more."Programming ArcGIS 10.1 with Python Cookbook" starts by covering fundamental Python programming concepts in an ArcGIS Desktop context. Using a how-to instruction style you'll then learn how to use Python to automate common important ArcGIS geoprocessing tasks.In this book you will also cover specific ArcGIS scripting topics which will help save you time and effort when working with ArcGIS. Topics include managing map document files, automating map production and printing, finding and fixing broken data sources, creating custom geoprocessing tools, and working with feature classes and tables, among others.In "Python ArcGIS 10.1 Programming Cookbook" you'll learn how to write geoprocessing scripts using a pragmatic approach designed around an approach of accomplishing specific tasks in a Cookbook style format.
Table of Contents (21 chapters)
Programming ArcGIS 10.1 with Python Cookbook
Credits
About the Author
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
Index

Retrieving tool messages with GetMessages()


ArcPy includes a GetMessages() function that you can use to retrieve messages generated when an ArcGIS tool is executing. Messages can include informational messages, such as the start and ends times of a tool execution as well as warnings and errors, which can result in something less than the desired result or complete failure of the tool to execute to completion.

Getting ready

During the execution of a tool, various messages are generated. These messages include informational messages, such as the start and end times of a tool execution, parameter values passed to the tool, and progress information. In addition, warnings and errors can also be generated by the tool. These messages can be read by your Python script, and your code can be designed to appropriately handle any warnings or errors that have been generated.

ArcPy stores the messages from the last tool that was executed and you can retrieve these messages using the GetMessages() function...