2025 Big Sky GeoCon - Mapping the Future: Innovations in Geospatial Technology

Technology requirements: Bring your own laptop. Instructions for setting up the required software will be provided prior to the workshop.
Description: 
ArcGIS Pro allows users to meet data management requirements, such as creating, reading, loading, updating, and deleting feature classes and tables, manually using geoprocessing tools, editing operations, and data manipulation functionality. While this may work well for small datasets, it can become unwieldy as the number of values and number of required operations increases. This is where Python comes in, especially when accompanied by an appreciation for the value of well-crafted and versatile code. Being able to streamline and automate workflows can save significant amounts of time and effort, can increase confidence in outcomes, and can provide a valuable record of how and when processes have been run.
The purpose of this workshop is to teach attendees how to use Python and the ArcPy site package to support data management workflows via the ArcGIS Pro Python Window and scripts that that can be run within ArcGIS Pro or externally. Topics to be covered include the use of data management geoprocessing tools, cursors, and core Python data structures. Consideration will also be given to the importance of clean, descriptive, and reusable code. For script development, attendees may use either of two Integrated Development Environment (IDE) programs: JetBrains PyCharm Community Edition or Microsoft Visual Studio Code (both free).
Intended Audience: GIS professionals familiar with ArcGIS Pro and Python and wishing to manage ArcGIS data in a flexible and efficient manner.
Prerequisite Requirement: Anyone wishing to attend this workshop must also attend the associated workshop, "Introduction to Python Programming." An exception to this requirement will be made if the instructor is satisfied that your level of Python experience is such that attending the introductory workshop is not necessary. If required, please contact the instructor to request a waiver.
Format and Technical Requirements: The workshop will consist of a balance between lecture material and demonstrations, which forms the basis for a flexible and interactive training approach. There will be plenty of time for discussion and experimentation, which will result in a rich and rewarding experience for everyone involved.