GIT461 GIS

Python Programming Fundamentals

Python Programming Environment• We will use the “PythonWin” version 2.7

system• This programming environment includes a

code editor and a code interpreter• A code interpreter executes statements line-

by-line as you type them – very useful for testing

• A Code editor is used to type a complete program that is later tested and “de-bugged”

PythonWin Environment• Interpreter window is

displayed first.• You can type and

execute simple statements in this window.

PythonWin Environment

• To type a Python script program select “File > New > Script”.

• Type in code and save with a .py extention.

• A good idea to have a folder such as “\PythonProgs\” just for source code scripts.

PythonWin Environment

• To load an existing python script select “File > Open” to load script into an edit window.

PythonWin Environment• To run a script you should

load it, and then select “File > Run”

• Note that you may enter “command line arguments” at this point if needed

• Select “OK” button to run the script

Python Programming Fundamentals

• Google “Python Language Reference” to load this help file

Python Data Types

• String: a sequence of alphanumeric characters• Integer: a whole number that has no fractional

component• Float: a number that contains a fractional

component• String example: “105 Glendale Avenue” (note

that strings are enclosed in quotes)• Integer examples: 100, -19, 0, 9999999• Float examples: 1.0, -123.678, 1.6745E3

Python Assignment Statement

• The “=“ sign is the assignment operator as it is in most programming languagesX = 1Print X # the number “1” will appear on the screenX = X + 5Print X # the number “6” will appear on the screen

Python Comments• A python comment begins with a “#”.• Anything after the “#” is ignored by Python• The 1st line in the below script is a comment line- it is ignored by Python• The characters to the right of the “#” on lines 2-5 are ignored

# get x1, y1, x2, y2 from the command linex1param = float(StripComma(sys.argv[1])) # x1y1param = float(StripComma(sys.argv[2])) # y1x2param = float(StripComma(sys.argv[3])) # x2y2param = float(StripComma(sys.argv[4])) # y2

Python Operators (in order of precedence)

• Multiplication: *• Division: /• Modulus: %• Addition: +• Subtraction: -

Expressions• Expressions are combinations of data and operators:

Built-in Python Functions

• A function takes an “argument” or “arguments” and returns a value that can be used in an assignment statement

• In the below satements abs(x) and pow(x,y) are built-in functions in every implementation of the Python language

x = abs(-8)print x # the number “8” would appear in the interactive windowy = pow(2,3)print y # the number “8” would appear in the interactive window

Python Built-In Functions

• abs(x) # returns the absolute value of x• float(x) # returns the string x converted to a floating

point number• int(x) # returns the string x converted to a integer

number• pow(x,y) # returns the number x rasied to the y

power• round(x,n) # rounds the number x to n decimal

places• str(x) # returns the string equivalent of the object x

More Complex Expressions using Functions and Exponentiation

• Note that trig functions use radian angular values.

• You must convert degrees to radians before using the trig functions ( radians = degrees * 3.1416/180.0).

• Note that before using the trig functions the math “module” had to be imported.

Controlling Program Flow: Conditional Statements

• A statement uses “reserved” python language words to initiate an action

• A conditional statement makes a decision at run-time

X = 10If x == 10 :

print “X=10”

Note: everything indented Below the “If” statement isPart of the statement.

Conditional Statements: More Complex IF/ELIF/ELSE construct

• The “elif” and “else” keywords can be used to construct more complex decision structures

x = random.randint(1,10)If x == 1 : print “you are in first place”Elif x == 2 : print “you are in second place”Elif x == 3 : print “you are in third place”Else : print “ sorry, you didn’t place this time”

Controlling program flow with a loop: While statement

• While statements can be used to repeat a section of code until some condition is reached.i = 0While i <= 10 : print I i = i + 1 # you could also use i += 1

For Loops

• A “For” loop uses a “list”. First a list must be built before it can be used in the For loop

Mylist = [“A”, “B”, “C”, “D”]For letter in Mylist : print letter # the letters “A” through “D” would print to the screen

Getting User Input: command line

• Command line parameters are entered at run time in the “Run Script” window

Getting User Input: “Input” function• The “input” function prompts the user for

input during the running of the script

User Input: Input function

• Note that if you use the “input” function and you enter a string value it must be enclosed in quotes (single or double).

Functions

• A function is a stand-alone section of code that is designed to accomplish a specific task based on one or more parameters passed to the function

• The function returns a calculated result so a function normally appears in the main code to the right of an assignment (=) statement so the returned value is stored in the variable on the left side of the assignment statement

Function Placement• Functions are normally placed at the top of the main program file

because they need to be defined before they are referenced in the main program

• Below is an example function that converts a longitude string value (“-0883015”) to its decimal degree number equivalent