تحميل كتاب لغة بايثون في نظم المعلومات الجغرافية Python for GIS

The programming language named Python, created by Guido van Rossum, Dutch computer programmer and fan of the comedy group Monty Python, is an ideal programming language for GIS users for several reasons: 

Python is a nice ‘starter’ programming language: easy to interpret with a clean visual layout. Python uses English keywords or indentation frequently where other languages use punctuation. Some languages require a lot of set-up code before even creating a program that says ‘Hello’. With Python, the code you need to print Hello is print 'Hello'. 

The idea of object-oriented programming (OOP) was a paradigm shift from functional programming approach used before the 1990s. In functional programming, coding is like writing a collection of mathematical functions. By contrast, object oriented coding is organized around objects which have properties and functions that do things to that object. OOP languages share common conventions, making it easier for those who have some OOP experience in other languages. There are also advantages to programmers at any level such as context menus which provide cues for completing a line of code.

Another reason to use Python is the abundance of resources available. Python is an open-source programming language. In the spirit of open-source software, the Python programming community posts plenty of free information online. ‘PythonResources.pdf’, found with the book’s Chapter 1 sample scripts (see Section 1.2), lists some key tutorials, references, and forums. 

Due to many of the reasons listed above, the GIS Com–munity has adopted the Python programming language. ArcGIS software, in particular has embraced Python and expands the Python functionality with each new release. Python scripts can be used to run ArcGIS geoprocessing tools and more. The term geoprocessing refers to manipulating geographic data with a GIS. Examples of geoprocessing include calculating buffer zones around geographic features or intersecting layers of geographic data.The ESRI software, ArcGIS Desktop, even provides a built-in Python command prompt for running python code statements. The ‘ArcGIS Resources’ site provides extensive online help for Python, including examples and code templates. Several open-source GIS programs also provide Python programming interfaces. For example, GRASS GIS includes an embedded Python command prompt for running GRASS geoprocessing tools via Python. QGIS and PostGreSQL / PostGIS commands can be also run from Python. Once you know Python for ArcGIS Desktop, you’ll have a good foundation to learn Python for other GIS tools.

Python is installed automatically when you install ArcGIS. To work with this book, you need to install ArcGIS Desktop version 10.1 or higher. The example in Section 1.4 shows how to use Python inside of ArcGIS. From Chapter 2 onward, you’ll use Python Win or PyScripter software, instead of ArcGIS, to run Python. Chapter 2 explains the installation procedure for these programs, which only takes a few steps.