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I'm really struggling to learn how to code!

GeospatialTechnology

Hello, I've always really struggled with programming but I really want to get over this and learn to code in arcgis.

I did an introdution to java course as part of my university degree and just scaped through by the skin of my teeth.

I get the really basic stuff but courses I have done seem to take a massive leap and I get lost.

Can anyone recommend any good courses to do? I've been doing the free ESRI online ones and I seem to be doing okay but then when it comes to the exams I get lost.

Does anyone know of any resouces that would help me to understanding progamming in python better?

Thanks for any help!

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MelanieMaguire

I agree with the book suggestions for Python Primer and Learning Python. If your ultimate goal is to apply Python to GIS, I would recommend reading them in that order. I had tried a few other Python books first and did not get anywhere. Python Primer really helped me figure out how to combine Python with GIS and gave me a flavor of what I wanted to be able to do. I followed this up by reading Learning Python to be sure I understood the basics and good practice for entry level Python coding. By reading and working through Python Primer first, I was able to think about how I would use the information from Learning Python as I was writing Python scripts that worked with GIS.

Another great Python book that is hot off the press is Python for Data Analysis by Wes McKinney (ISBN: 978-1449319793). I would read this one after you have worked through the other two books. It has a lot of useful ideas and examples for anyone using Python to analyze data.

There are also Python user groups in a lot of locations that welcome anyone interested in Python (pure beginners to experts). You may want to see if there is a group in your area. This really helped me when I was learning to program. There were also semi-annual free "Code Camps" near where I was living when I was getting started. The first one was over my head in terms of some of the code and vocabulary, but people pointed me towards a lot of great resources, local groups, websites, etc.

JamesHood

Thanks for the information all. I think it's definately a good idea to try and get my head around python before applying it to GIS. I don't know why it is but I just really struggle with programming. However I feel it's an essential skill to learn to progress my career in GIS so wish me luck! 🙂

I had to self-learn python for the most part. So from a noobies perspective: my process involved reviewing other's scripts and deconstructing them to see how they worked.
Work through it line by line and make sure you understand what each line does.
Then replicate them in as simple a way as possible and change variables to make it do similar but different things.

Working with a user freindly editor such as PythonWin was very helpful.

GeospatialTechnology

Thanks for the information all. I think it's definately a good idea to try and get my head around python before applying it to GIS. I don't know why it is but I just really struggle with programming. However I feel it's an essential skill to learn to progress my career in GIS so wish me luck! 🙂

gpnobbir

You wrote "... comes to the exams I get lost" - does your course has anything to do with ArcGIS and Python? If so, then I would suggest start from the Desktop help on Python:

What is Python

A quick tour of Python

Using Python for ArcGIS does not involve heavy programming - just follow the examples in help for geoprocessing tools and functions.

KevinBell

I'd suggest learning python BEFORE applying it to gis work. Any intro book should do.

MayaThomas

I used Learn Python The Hard Way, and now I am reading Learning Python by Mark Lutz. If you're new to programming then it's good to use multiple sources until someone explains it the right way for you and it clicks. I've also used a bunch of other online tutorials, such as Non-Programmers Tutorial For Python, ZetCode Python tutorial, Linuxtopia's Python tutorial, and Tutorials Point Python tutorial.

GuidoStein

I found that Codeacademy had some useful hands on tools for learning python:
http://www.codecademy.com/tracks/python

ChrisSnyder

If you are a "visual learner", I would highly recomend Google's Python tutorials... Probably THE BEST quickstart resource I have seen.

https://developers.google.com/edu/python/

michaelcollins1

I recommend "Python Primer for ArcGIS", ISBN code 9781466274594

jskinner

Hi Mark,

I highly recommend Introduction to Geoprocessing Scripts Using Python. This course is how I was able to learn python.

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