Python geoprocessing scripts can be executed either outside ArcGIS as a standalone script or inside ArcGIS as a script tool. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages. Up to this point in the book, all our scripts have been run either inside ArcGIS as a script tool, or from a Python development environment such as IDLE, or the Python Window in ArcGIS. However, Python scripts can also be executed from the Windows operating system command line. The command line is a window that you can use to type in commands rather than the usual point-and-click approach provided by Windows. This method of running Python scripts is useful for scheduling the execution of a script. There are a number of reasons why you might want to schedule your scripts. Many geoprocessing scripts take a long time to fully execute and need to be scheduled to run during non-working hours on a regular basis. Additionally, some scripts need to be executed on a routine basis (every day, week, month, and so on), and should be scheduled for efficiency. In this chapter, you will learn how to execute scripts from the command line, place scripts inside batch files, and schedule the execution of scripts at prescribed times. Please keep in mind that any scripts run from the command line will still need access to an ArcGIS Desktop license in order to use the arcpy
module.
Programming ArcGIS 10.1 with Python Cookbook
By :
Programming ArcGIS 10.1 with Python Cookbook
By:
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
Free Chapter
Fundamentals of the Python Language for ArcGIS
Writing Basic Geoprocessing Scripts with ArcPy
Managing Map Documents and Layers
Finding and Fixing Broken Data Links
Automating Map Production and Printing
Executing Geoprocessing Tools from Scripts
Creating Custom Geoprocessing Tools
Querying and Selecting Data
Using the ArcPy Data Access Module to Select, Insert, and Update Geographic Data and Tables
Listing and Describing GIS Data
Customizing the ArcGIS Interface with Add-Ins
Error Handling and Troubleshooting
Automating Python Scripts
Five Things Every GIS Programmer Should Know How to Do with Python
Index
Customer Reviews