Learning ArcGIS Pro

Python script
A Python script is also a custom tool that can run multiple geoprocessing tools along with
their various parameters as part of an integrated process. However, unlike a model that
does not require you to write programming code, Python scripts do. You must know the
Python scripting language in order to create Python scripts. The following is a small
snippet of a Python script created for ArcGIS:
#--------------------------------------------------------------
# Name: Union Tool Sample Script
# Purpose: Runs the Union Geoprocessing tool from ArcGIS
# Author: Esri & Tripp Corbin
#
# Created: 09/15/2015
# Updated: 09/15/2015
#
# Usage: Union two feature classes
#---------------------------------------------------------------
# Import the system modules
import arcpy
from arcpy import env
# Sets the current workspace to avoid having to specify the full path
# to the feature classes each time
env.workspace = "C:\\student\\IntroArcPro\\Databases\\Trippville_GIS.gdb"
#Runs Union Geoprocessing tool on 2 Feature classes
arcpy.Union_analysis (["Parcels", "Floodplains"],
"Parcels_Floodplain_Union", "NO_FID", 0.0003)
Python scripts have several advantages over a geoprocessing model. First, Python is not
limited to ArcGIS. Python can actually be used to create scripts for many other
applications such as Excel, SharePoint, AutoCAD, Photoshop, SQL Server, and more.
This means you can use a Python script to run tools across multiple platforms to create a
truly integrated process.
Second, Python scripts can be run from outside of ArcGIS. This means you can schedule
them to run at specific times and days using your operating system’s scheduler
application. If your script does include ArcGIS geoprocessing tools, the script will require
access to an ArcGIS license to run successfully but ArcGIS does not need to be open and
active at the time the script is scheduled to run.
Third, Python can be used to create completely customized geoprocessing tools. It is not
limited to just the geoprocessing tools you will find in the ArcGIS Pro toolboxes.