How do you document and share your Python code and GIS results with others?

1 Use comments and docstrings

Comments and docstrings are essential for documenting your Python code. Comments are short notes that explain what your code does or why you use a certain approach. Docstrings are longer descriptions that provide information about the purpose, parameters, and return values of your functions, classes, and modules. You can use comments and docstrings to help yourself and others understand your code, debug errors, and reuse your code in different projects. You can also use tools like Sphinx or Pydoc to generate HTML documentation from your docstrings.

2 Follow coding standards

Coding standards are guidelines for writing consistent and readable code. They help you avoid common errors, improve code quality, and make your code easier to maintain and share. Some coding standards are specific to Python, such as PEP 8, which defines the style and format of your code, or PEP 257, which defines the conventions for writing docstrings. Other coding standards are specific to GIS, such as the ArcGIS Python API Style Guide, which defines the best practices for using the ArcGIS Python API. You can use tools like pylint or flake8 to check your code for compliance with coding standards.

3 Use version control

Version control is a system that tracks the changes you make to your code and allows you to revert to previous versions if needed. Version control also enables you to collaborate with other developers, share your code with others, and integrate your code with other tools and platforms. You can use version control tools like Git or Mercurial to manage your code repositories, and platforms like GitHub or Bitbucket to host your code online. You can also use tools like ArcGIS Pro or ArcGIS Online to manage your GIS projects and data with version control.

4 Create packages and modules

Packages and modules are ways of organizing your code into reusable and distributable units. A package is a collection of modules, and a module is a file that contains Python code. You can use packages and modules to structure your code into logical components, avoid code duplication, and simplify code import and execution. You can also use tools like setuptools or pip to create and install packages, and tools like PyPI or Anaconda to distribute and share packages with others.

5 Export and share GIS results

GIS results are the outputs of your spatial analysis, such as maps, charts, tables, or reports. You can export and share your GIS results in various formats, depending on your audience and purpose. For example, you can export your maps as PDF, PNG, or JPEG files, or as web maps that can be viewed online. You can export your charts and tables as CSV, Excel, or HTML files, or as web charts that can be embedded in web pages. You can export your reports as PDF or Word files, or as web pages that can be accessed online. You can use tools like ArcGIS Pro or ArcGIS Online to export and share your GIS results.

6 Use online platforms and resources

Online platforms and resources are useful for learning, sharing, and collaborating with other Python and GIS users. You can use online platforms like Esri Community or Stack Overflow to ask questions, find answers, and exchange tips and tricks with other users. You can use online resources like Esri Academy or Real Python to access courses, tutorials, and articles that teach you new skills and techniques. You can also use online platforms like ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Hub to publish, discover, and access GIS data and services.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?