How do you learn and keep up with the web mapping skills and tools in python?

1 Know the basics

Before exploring the various web mapping tools and frameworks, it's important to have a firm understanding of the basic concepts and skills associated with web mapping. This includes knowledge of spatial data types and formats, such as vector, raster, GeoJSON, and shapefile; spatial reference systems and projections, like EPSG codes, WGS84, and UTM; geospatial analysis and manipulation techniques like spatial queries, joins, buffers, and overlays; as well as web standards and protocols like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, HTTP, and REST. You can acquire these fundamentals through online courses, books, tutorials, and documentation; for instance, you could look into the Geospatial Data Science with Python course from DataCamp or the Python Geospatial Analysis Cookbook from Packt or review the GeoPandas documentation.

2 Choose your tools

Once you have the basics covered, you can start exploring the different web mapping tools and frameworks available in python. These can be divided into two main categories: client-side and server-side. Client-side tools, such as Leaflet, OpenLayers, Mapbox GL JS, and Bokeh, run in the browser and handle the rendering and interaction of the web map. To integrate with python, you usually need some knowledge of JavaScript and HTML. Server-side tools, such as Django, Flask, GeoDjango, GeoServer, and PyWPS, run on the server and handle the data processing, storage, and delivery of the web map. To work with python, you usually need some knowledge of web development and databases. You can choose your tools based on your project requirements, preferences, and experience. Additionally, you can combine different tools to create hybrid solutions; for instance, you could use Flask to create a web application that serves GeoJSON data to a Leaflet map in the browser.

3 Learn by doing

The best way to learn and keep up with the web mapping skills and tools in python is to practice by doing. You can start by following some tutorials and examples that demonstrate how to use the tools and frameworks you have chosen. For example, you can follow the Leaflet Quick Start Guide, the Flask Mega-Tutorial, or the GeoDjango Tutorial.

You can also find some inspiration and ideas from other web mapping projects and applications that use python. For example, you can check out the Awesome Python GIS Projects list, the Python GIS Resources blog, or the PyCon GIS Track.

4 Join the community

To stay up-to-date with the web mapping skills and tools in Python, joining the community of developers, users, and enthusiasts is a great way to learn. Participate in online platforms and events such as Stack Overflow, GIS Stack Exchange, Reddit, Python GIS, GeoPython, GeoNode, Geoawesomeness, MapScaping, Planet Python, GeoPython Webinars, PyData Global, FOSS4G and more. Additionally, you can contribute to the community by sharing projects, code, questions, answers and opinions on platforms like GitHub, Medium and Twitter.

5 Keep updated

Staying up to date with the latest trends, developments, and innovations in the web mapping field and the python ecosystem is essential. To do this, you can follow journals and magazines such as Transactions in GIS and International Journal of Geographical Information Science. Additionally, attending conferences and events like PyCon and FOSS4G can help you stay informed. You can also subscribe to websites like Python Weekly and GIS Lounge, as well as feeds and alerts that notify you of new releases, updates, and changes in the web mapping tools and frameworks you use. For instance, PyPI RSS Feeds, GitHub Releases, or Twitter Notifications are all great sources of information.

6 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?