The two main focuses of this week's Lab assignment in GIS Programming was an introduction to Model Builder in ArcGIS Pro and coding a geoprocessing script from scratch. The lessons show that Geoprocessing Tools can be run solely with Python scripts and the process be automated using models. Both use the ArcPy package, which contains several modules and other elements that add functionality to Python. Geoprocessing is a series of [...]
Been a busy week outside of class this week, which made processing this week's module on DeBugging and Error Handling more challenging. I entered this Module feeling overwhelmed with just the concept of DeBugging Python. But as I worked through the exercises and reading, I realized that I already have experience implementing some of the practices with debugging from editing PHP scripts for AARoads. That and the textbook Python Scripting [...]
Moving forward into our second week of GIS Programming, there was a lot to memorize related to basic Python programming terminology and functionality. Our first foray into Python utilized functions, methods and modules. Additionally we gain experience working with lists and loops. The Lab assignment for Module 2 commenced with a basic assignment of a string variable comprising our full name. A string, or string literal, is a set of characters [...]
A week removed from completing Computer Cartography (GIS4006), my next class in the UWF Online GIS Certification Program is GIS Programming (GIS4102), which covers Python. Python is an open-sourced programming language used for geoprocessing tools in ArcGIS Pro. Python is also object-orientated, which is a programming model that organizes software around data (objects) as opposed to functions and logic. Python is the is the scripting language of choice for [...]
The final module of Computer Cartography returns us to Google Earth to work with KML (Keyhole Markup Language) files and explore some additional functionality of the software. We previously used Google Earth with data collected using ArcGIS Field Maps and a KML file of point data imported from ArcGIS. The use of KML files with Google Earth allows us to share geographic data with a general audience that may have zero to [...]
The semester is accelerating and we move into the 6th lab covering Isarithmic Mapping! Following choropleth mapping, this thematic map type is the second most widely used in cartography. Isarithmic maps consider geographic phenomenon to be continuous and smooth, with measurements in the area of interest presumed to change gradually between data point locations instead of abruptly. There are two primary types of isarithmic mapping. Often associated with meteorology, isometric [...]
Module 5 for Computer Cartography advances our understanding and usage of choropleth maps while introducing us to proportional and graduated symbol map types. A choropleth map can be described as a statistical thematic map showing differences in quantitative area data (enumeration units) using color shading or patterns. Choropleth maps are not to be used to map totals, such as ones based on unequal sized areas or unequal sized populations. Instead data [...]
Module 4 for Computer Cartography contrasts 2010 Census Data for Miami-Dade County, Florida using multiple data classification methods. Our objective is to distribute quantitative data into thematic maps based upon two criteria. The first series of maps shows the percentage of the total population per Census Tract of the number of seniors aged 65 and older. The second map array uses normalized data to partition Census Tracts based upon [...]
Module 3 for Computer Cartography builds on Module 2, where we started developing a routine for good map design with guidelines for labeling, annotation and layout text. Building upon that knowledge base, we focus on cartographic design, the method with which maps are conceived and created. The Gestalt Principles of perceptual organization factor into the design process for the Module 3 lab assignment. There are several key concepts integral [...]
The second module for Computer Cartography expounds upon some of the lessons learned from the first module. These include a refresher of the essential map elements (map title, scale bar, north arrow [orientation], data source information, etc.) from Introduction to GIS (GIS 4043), and general typography principles in cartography ranging from type placement, variation dependent upon features and appropriate type size. The concept of map clutter from module 1 [...]
