Reddit mentions of Python Scripting for ArcGIS

The first programming-related thing a company would look for in a candidate for a purely GIS job is Python, no doubt. Especially if you're brand new to programming, start with Python. If you're proficient in ArcGIS already, I recommend this book. You can also start with the easy online tutorials like Korlyth mentioned, but remember that you won't truly learn Python unless you apply it. Come up with a project and practice using your new skills. Then, if an employer asks for a portfolio, you have some good examples to share! A good example would be to analyze a large Excel file, import that data into ArcGIS, make some shapefiles from the data, and then maybe run some spatial analysis on those shapefiles-- ALL within your Python script (you don't even have to open ArcMap!). The big advantage is using Python for automation of repetitive tasks. It's tedious to do some analysis for all the individual counties in a state by hand, but you could practice doing this analysis in a script.

After that, I recommend learning some geospatial R. More and more organizations are starting to use R, and it can be helpful to learn some languages/packages that are not strictly used by ArcGIS. I recommend this book.

SQL might be good to learn since GIS tends to be all about databases. It might be tough to learn if you don't already have a huge database/server to work with, but try to learn what you can. I feel like Python, R, and SQL cover a lot of the non-web aspects of GIS programming.

If you want to take it to the next level, then you could learn some web-based programming. It can be tricky to learn this because there are several languages that work together (ex. HTML puts the content on the web page, CSS edits the content to make it look nice, and JavaScript manipulates the behavior of the content). You could start by building a basic web page (non-GIS) so you can learn these languages individually. Once you have a better idea about syntax and how they work together, you could move to GIS stuff. You could start by using a pre-existing web map service such as CartoDB and using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, etc. to put the web map on your own website and edit it.

I'm about to graduate in Geography (GIS) from a very, very human/critical theory focused dept at state school.

My favorite GIS text so far has been Nicholas Chrisman's Exploring Geographic Information Systems. It's not super exciting, but it's kind of historical, covers a huge number of basic elements of information science, and situates it as technical discipline that serves/is grounded in socio-political things. Great for people who've seen the very basics of clip/overlay/make layer in a GIS, but don't have much understanding of the why/how.

Plus there are no fucking screenshots of software menus.

If you've never seen those on a screen, try Price's Mastering ArcGIS series, comes with data and is basically just lots of long, in-depth tutorials. No need to buy the newest version, the software doesn't change that quickly.

It's not a 'beginner' book per se, but a pretty comprehensive coverage of the concepts of Nature and the nature of geography in anglophone traditions plus a number of historical and current takes on the matter: Noel Castree's Nature.

For those interested in scripting/Python with ArcGIS, I can recommend Zandbergen's Python Scripting for ArcGIS and Pimpler's Programming ArcGIS 10.1 with Python Cookbook. The former is a textbook proper, teaches some theory, lots of contextual (in terms of the program) information, the later is much more of a straight recipe/how to, with a few pointers about how things might get messed up or why you're seeing that error in that place.

http://www.amazon.com/Python-Scripting-ArcGIS-Paul-Zandbergen/dp/1589482824

I would experiment with the regular geoprocessing tools and ModelBuilder in ArcGIS. ModelBuilder is basically a visual representation of a python code. It's much easier (in my opinion) because you don't have to worry too much about syntax and formatting. It's a fairly easy way to get your feet wet with the geoprocessing abilities of ArcGIS. You can also export a model to python if want to work with python, but aren't sure how to start.

THIS book is what I'm currently using to learn Python.

Highly recommend this book

I'm in my last class finishing up my certificate through Penn State. One thing I can tell you is put all your class projects into an online portfolio. I didn't do that so I will have to go back track and put them all up.

I have no background in GIS and started the program out of genuine interest. The program was well worth the money but since I have no prior experience it was kind of a GIS intro/immersion program. Basically I wouldn't apply to GIS jobs based on my certificate alone. Because of this I plan on studying on my own using ESRI's books to reinforce what I learned through Penn State . Again, I plan on posting the associated projects from these books into an online portfolio.

Current books I will be going through:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1589482824/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1405071816&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1589483359/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1405071858&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/158948214X/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1405071905&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40

You can definitely script this.

This is a really, really great book- I think:

http://www.amazon.com/Python-Scripting-ArcGIS-Paul-Zandbergen/dp/1589482824/

Check the sidebar at /r/GISscripts if you haven't. You might find something helpful.

Otherwise, just figure out the exact workflow you need to do and then Google stuff like "ArcGIS 10.1 select by location" which would lead you to this:

http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help/main/10.1/index.html#//001700000072000000

And just learn from there.

You might take a look at ModelBuilder as well.

tl;dl - GIS is here to stay, learn computer skills, and consider where you want to apply your skills.

I just graduated with a BA in Geography and I kinda feel bad for those few students that dodged any GIS classes. It seems to be where geography is going, if not already there, so make sure you at least take the intro course. If GIS is what you decide to focus on, it is an ever-and-rapidly-evolving thing so computer languages are more frequently required by employers (check out r/gisjobs). My department focused on python and my prof was super stoked about this book.
I have one regret, and that's not minoring or double majoring in biology. I took a biogeography course (distributions, island biogeography, etc) and a pyrogeography & fire science course. Biology would have really given me nice credentials to apply GIS to specific things a "geographer" or "GIS analyst" might not have the credentials for.
Have fun and embrace your inner geonerd!
(editted: manbearcat might like the python book I mentioned.)

I think the answer to your question is "yes" (I think--question has awkward wording), to a certain degree. Page 39 of the book Python Scripting for ArcGIS explains Python vs ModelBuilder well enough. I'll try to summarize:

• Some lower-level geoprocessing tasks are only possible in scripts (i.e. using cursors to manipulate rows in an attribute table).
  
  
• Scripting allows for advanced programming logic such as error handling and more advanced data structures
  
  
• A script can run outside of ArcGIS; a ModelBuilder "script" cannot.
  
  
• Scripts can be scheduled to run, Models to my knowledge, can't.
  
  
• ModelBuilder "models" cannot be intergrated with other software.
  
  In general, a script allows you more flexibility in both where/how/in what situation you need to use it. Creating a model in ModelBuilder and then converting it into a (python) script can give you the framework/basic idea of how a process may need to be automated.

Thanks! I have a student license, I've been working my way throught the GIS Tutorial Series and will be getting Python Scripting for ArcGIS. Do you have any recommendations for any other books in perticular? Personal projects sound like a great option too.

Here is what it sounds like to me what you are wanting to do, correct me if I'm wrong:

• Input a list of coordinates in some format (e.g. table view, csv file, etc) along with a search radius value
  
  
• Have something, ArcMap or a python script, go through each set of coordinates and return pertinent information within the designated search radius for each input coordinate
  
  You could possibly do this in model builder using a table object, table view, or a linked Access database as the input object containing the coordinates. Honestly, I have never been able to figure out the iteration tool in model builder and find it much easier to write everything in Python. Perhaps another user could be of assistance if you take the model builder route.
  
  If you were to go about it in Python, as a script in a custom ArcTool, you would have the user put in a table object of some sort as mentioned above and could also go the CSV file route which would allow you to easily convert Excel related files to a more friendly file type. You could also make a standalone script which would allow you to do everything without having to open ArcMap.
  However, if you are very new to Python and are not familiar with object oriented program, I would say that model builder is your best bet as what you describe is very likely outside of your current programming capabilities.
  
  Here are some great books for learning Python and using Python within ArcGIS.
  Python Scripting for ArcGIS
  Introduction to Computing Using Python: An Application Development Focus
  

buy this book. http://www.amazon.com/Python-Scripting-ArcGIS-Paul-Zandbergen/dp/1589482824

Not familiar with GIS systems, but Packpub sells a book titled
"Programming ArcGIS 10.1 with Python Cookbook".

EDIT: There's also Python Scripting for ArcGIS

I found the combination of www.codeacademy.com and Learn Python the Hard Way really helped me to understand the fundamentals of Python.

Then this book by Paul Zandbergen Python Scripting For ArcGis opened the doors to Python scripting with ArcGIS and how the two tie together in a GIS environment.

Learn the basics of python at Code Academy and than buy this http://www.amazon.com/Python-Scripting-ArcGIS-Paul-Zandbergen/dp/1589482824/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395760006&sr=8-1&keywords=Python+Scripting+for+ArcGIS and you will be up and running in no time