This book is a guide for experienced users of ArcGIS® Desktop to get started with Python scripting without needing previous programming experience. Experience with other scripting or programming languages (Perl, VBA, VB script, Java, C++) is helpful but not required. Readers are expected to have good general ArcGIS skills and a basic understanding of geoprocessing procedures. There are 14 chapters with corresponding exercises on an accompanying DVD. Also included is access to a 180-day trial of ArcGIS® 10.1 for Desktop.
Paul A. Zandbergen is an associate professor of geography at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. He teaches classes in GIS and spatial analysis. His areas of expertise include geographic information science; spatial and statistical analysis techniques using GIS; error and uncertainty in spatial data; GIS applications in criminology, economics, health, and spatial ecology; terrain analysis and modeling; and community-based mapping using GIS and GPS.