How to input a shapefile in my Python script?

Question

Hello all!

So I am really new to Python.

I had to convert a Matlab Script into Python script in order to be able to add it as a script tool in Arcmap.
 
I am having a hard time figuring out how to input a shapefile into my script. My whole script runs based on the shapefile so I have no way of checking if it works unless it reads the shapefile.

Thanks in advance!!

ChloeAsmar · Answer

Thanks a lot for your answers 😄 It worked!

ChloeAsmar · Answer

Thanks a lot for your answers 😄 It worked!

DouglasSands · Answer

Have you checked out this article about working with inputs? If you need to actually do something with an ArcGIS tool, you may also need to use Make Feature Layer first, depending on the tool.