Python is a powerful yet easy to use programming language that has huge potential for increasing productivity. It can be used to automate GIS and other workflows and can even be used to extend the functionality of GIS packages such as QGIS (using PyQGIS) and ArcGIS (using ArcPy). Our Automating Tasks with Python course is aimed at non-developers who are looking to develop a strong footing in Python.
Successful automation allows workflows to be completed quickly and consistently, freeing up more time for quality assurance. Delegates will learn how to use python to interact with databases, GIS packages and other external programs. A detailed course outline can be found below.
Delegates should have a solid understanding of GIS concepts but do not require any prior software development experience.
All of our training courses combine presentations with practical exercises, allowing delegates to practice the techniques and concepts being taught. Delegates are supplied with a course manual containing all exercises and presentation materials.
Delegates are encouraged to bring any datasets they may find useful during Open Sessions, held at the end of each day where tutors aim to solve any relevant GIS queries or problems.
Lutra Consulting specialise in running customised training courses for organisations. That means that you get to choose the course content that best meets your requirements and we'll send one of our knowledgeable and experienced tutors to you, with everything required to run your course, anywhere in the UK or Ireland.
Please see our main training page for more information about how we run our courses.
Our Automating Tasks with Python training course is usually taken as a two day course and covers the topics listed below in green (day 1) and blue (day 2).
Those looking for a tailored Python training course for multiple staff may pick and choose content from below and from our other courses. Please contact training@lutraconsulting.co.uk to book a course or to discuss your requirements in detail.
| Topic | Level | |
|---|---|---|
| An Introduction to Python | Intermediate | |
| What is python | ||
| Script execution | ||
| Integrated development environments | ||
| First Steps | Intermediate | |
| Installing an IDE | ||
| Creating a project | ||
| Making output with print | ||
| Comments | ||
| Variables | ||
| Basic Data Types | Intermediate | |
| Numbers | ||
| Python dynamic types | ||
| Type conversion | ||
| Operator precedence | ||
| Strings | Intermediate | |
| Operators | ||
| Functions and methods | ||
| Immutability | ||
| Using Functions | Intermediate | |
| Capturing Input | Intermediate | |
| Flow of Execution and Branching | Intermediate | |
| Syntax and indentation | ||
| Controlling the flow of execution | ||
| If, elif and else | ||
| Lists | Intermediate | |
| Sequence slicing | ||
| Operators and methods | ||
| Loops | Intermediate | |
| While loops | ||
| Loop control - break and continue | ||
| For loops | ||
| Diagnosing Problems | Intermediate | |
| Exceptions | ||
| Handling exceptions | ||
| Defining Functions | Intermediate | |
| File Input / Output | Intermediate | |
| Open function | ||
| File iterators | ||
| Modules | Intermediate | |
| Introduction to modules | ||
| Exploring modules | ||
| Tuples | Advanced | |
| Running External Processes | Advanced | |
| Why? | ||
| Interacting with external processes | ||
| The Python subprocess module | ||
| A subprocess example | ||
| Extracting useful information from process output | ||
| Dictionaries | Advanced | |
| Classes | Advanced | |
| Database Interaction | Advanced | |
| Making database connections | ||
| Executing queries | ||
| Retrieving results | ||
| Scripting QGIS | Advanced | |
| QGIS' internal arrangement | ||
| Python bindings | ||
| Interfacing with QGIS | ||
| Examples | ||
| Writing a script to buffer layer geometry in QGIS |