Nicholas Wagner - GIS Blog

 Module 4: Geoprocessing This weeks was both very simple, and very complex. While I had some problems, I was able to work my way around them. This week we used Python and GIS models to run geoprocessing tools. The screenshot bellow shows the code being used to add XY coordinate fields to my data, a 1,000 meter buffer zone, and then merging the buffers together. 

Module 3: Debugging and Error Handling   Each of the three scripts created in this assignment tested deferent parts of GIS data. The top of these images was the most complex codes to create. The fist part of the code had an error, and I needed to overcome this. To do this, I added a try: with the code inset inside for each part (1&2) and added exception and a print at the end of each section. This allowed the script to run each part separately. This is broken down in the following flow-chart: I struggled a lot with the try-except, meeting for office hours helped a LOT with this. 

 Module 2: Python Fundamentals For this week, we developed string variables, using and importing modules, saving Python code as a script, including comments in scripts, creating loops and conditional statements, and iterating variables within loops to control script workflow. I had it print out my name (image and results 1), run a pass, tie, and fail test (image and results 2), and roll 10 random numbers and remove number 5 (image and results 3). For the While/Remove statments i used the following process: I had it create a random number between 0 and 10, then added that number to a list and upped the counter, and repeated until the list = 20, then printed the list. Next, I set the unlucky and printed the basic info with an if/else statement. If the number is there, if it is not, print some more info; if it is, count it; print more info, and remove the number (The images are formatted horribly, but that's on Blogger) 1. Wagner 2. Tom rolls a 3 out of str6 Tom gets a tie. Jane...

Module 1: Python Environments & Flowcharts This week, we used simple Python commands to create filepaths for our coursework. To do this, first, I opened the Python file from the assignment folder and edited the file paths to be on my desktop. I was then able to run the given code without error. Creating a file system for this class. I then filled out the process summary and used draw.io to create the flowchart We also covered the Zen of Python. I found the Zen of Python to be 19 helpful, yet humorous list of principles for coding Python. While not a set of hard rules, it has many helpful principles to keep in mind anytime you are writing code. While it can, in a sense, contradict itself, it is more a set of guidelines; it is something very useful to be aware of, but fine to deviate from when it is required. Notes: This was much easier than week three (That I accidentally did instead yesterday (who would have guessed)), and I only had one error, and that was not using the remote des...

Module 7: Google Earth For this week's lab, we created a Google Earth tour showing major cities in South Florida. In this lab, we learned 3 primary things. First, we learned how to import data from ArcGIS into Google Earth Pro. This was a simple task using a geoprocessing tool. The only complication when using this was that the colors did not transfer very well between the two software programs, so the colors did not match the legend very well. The second thing we learned was how to import and set up data in Google Earth. This went mostly without issue; however, the instructions provided worked better (to a point) for the layer set up in the web version of the program. The 3rd and last thing we learned in this lab was how to create a recorded tour of our map. This was an enjoyable task, as I would set up a point on the map by picking a good camera angle and then adding a pin to record the location and angle. I then created a video by recording as I cycled through the points. The on...

Module 6: Isarithmic Mapping In this lab, we learned about and used both continuous tone symbology and hypsometric tinting to categorize precipitation data for Washington state. These two methods provide different interpretations of the same data and can be used in a variety of applications. The data was first presented in continuous-tone symbology (first image), then in hypsometric tint (second image) with contour lines.  While continuous tone symbology provided insight into the precipitation data, hypsometric tint, especially with contour lines, worked much better. Continuous tone has many potential uses. Any data that has gradients would fit this well. For example, elevation data with no set boundaries would be best portrayed by a continuous tone, as it is a gradient. Another example could be the radius of effect for factors such as noise or light pollution, as these are also gradients.  Hypsometric tint is best used when there are solid lines dividing factors. For example,...