Should a GIS Analyst at least know some python to be considered a "GIS Analyst"?

[pjcook]

With arcpy and the fact that Python is being used more in many tasks and intergrated in the esri product line, I think a GIS Analyst should know at least some python. If not, they should begin to learn it NOW. It will become necessary one day I think. That's my opinion...


Any thoughts?

[Goh_Raj]

With arcpy and the fact that Python is being used more in many tasks and intergrated in the esri product line, I think a GIS Analyst should know at least some python. If not, they should begin to learn it NOW. It will become necessary one day I think. That's my opinion...


Any thoughts?

Yup, I think it would be foolish not to start learning python.

After working with modelbuilder for a while and loving that, I realized that it had limitations. Python solved a lot of my problems and I'm loving it even more.

[rdg129]

Absolutely. Python is core to the new GIS learning environment.

[Dan_Patterson]

you will need to keep up with the language-of-the-day in any event, consider ESRI's language history...and are you excluding web-based GIS?

[pjcook]

you will need to keep up with the language-of-the-day in any event, consider ESRI's language history

That's true. Currently, I just know some GIS Analysts who do not know any Python and thought that it might be wise to get on the bandwagon and learn it... soon. Before anyone gets angry at me, I was in this same boat before too and in the spirit of purely helping people out, IMHO a "GIS Analyst" should try to figure out ways to take a class on Python, tinker with it and so on, just embrace it and any future language (hope not too soon).

and are you excluding web-based GIS?

No, no, no. They should know that too. While we are at it, mobile GIS as well. This goes for all GIS Professionals in general and eventhough it isn't necessary 100% of the time (some don't even touch python, web GIS, mobile) it would be wise to learn this I think.


On a totally different (but still relevant) topic...

Dan, besides Python and Web GIS, what do you think Analysts should know at the minimum? Just trying to start a discussion...

I don't know why so few people are chiming in. I guess it all comes down to standards and a hunger for a resource. Maybe that is where the GIS Certification Program comes in... Maybe this will fix it?

[Riverside]

I think to be an entry level Analyst, then ModelBuilder should be required, but for a Senior Analyst than python should be a requirement.

[menglish74]

I actually don't agree, that you must know Python to be considered a 'GIS Analyst'. GIS is such a diverse field with multiple facets, that in their own right, could be considered professions. GIS is exponentially increasing every year with the pre-designed tools, and geographic capabilities. From raster based photogrammetry, GPS and Data Collection, geometric networking, cartography, linear referencing, cadastral, surveying, geoprocessing between datasets, etc. Any one of these could easily constitute its own geospatial discipline.

With that said, it is wise to learn many of the facets of GIS as you can, including python. It is easy to become stagnet, and if you want to be the very best at what you do, you should welcome all avenues of GIS, and evolve as it does.

In my opinion, understanding the concepts of geography, geospatial design, infrastructure, environmental conditions, databases, all sciences, are just as important as programming within GIS. It all depends on your goals and objectives as an organization. The problem is, how much time does one individual possess to learn everything. You pick and choose accordingly to get the job done.

[cadriku08]

Interesting indeed.This brings to me the thought of GIS in developing states where many GIS operators assign themselves the tittle of GIS Analyst.When I studied I did not undertake GIS Operations but now I have felt that I missed a lot.I want to become a GIS Analyst and it is here that I have read a lot of interesting debate on python. But there is the model builder, as one said for a beginner sems to be a good stepping stone however the rate of sophistication in analysis may limit the use hence necessity for python.
But my problem is I am slow learner and would seek advise from someone of how I can quickly develop in learning model builder so that I later upgrade to pythone

[jbarry]

Knowing how to script helps you be more efficient and get the most from the software.

Like AML for ARC/INFO, Avenue for old ArcView. You could use the software without scripting, but why? Without scripting, you have as much access to the powerful tools, but you're working longhand. Scripting allows you to customize, automate, standardize, streamline, abstract away unnecessary details, even add new functionality, all to fit your tasks and workflows.

So, while you don't need to know how to use Python to be considered a GIS Analyst, that is, you can use all of the ArcGIS tools without scripting, and scripting skills provide no domain knowledge magically, I'd consider a GIS Analyst who knew Python well to be the much more capable and productive analyst (all other skills being equal).

[rjcoleman]

I never bothered learning python as I was much more interested in learning web stuff but now that I've seen how powerful it is in automating boring repetitive tasks I think I will put a lot more effort into learning it now.

[jbarry]

Knowing how to script helps you be more efficient and get the most from the software.

Like AML for ARC/INFO, Avenue for old ArcView. You could use the software without scripting, but why? Without scripting, you have as much access to the powerful tools, but you're working longhand. Scripting allows you to customize, automate, standardize, streamline, abstract away unnecessary details, even add new functionality, all to fit your tasks and workflows.

So, while you don't need to know how to use Python to be considered a GIS Analyst, that is, you can use all of the ArcGIS tools without scripting, and scripting skills provide no domain knowledge magically, I'd consider a GIS Analyst who knew Python well to be the much more capable and productive analyst (all other skills being equal).

I guess we can continue sharing experiences and opinions about this question, talking about technical tool skills (the "how" of GIS) or the skills as applied to a particular domain (the "what" and "why" of GIS) but when the rubber meets the road it's the employer or client in need of your GIS analytic services and skills will determine with their money and your salary what a "GIS Analyst" is.

Here's just one current example of a county gov't agency in need of an experienced GIS Analyst. Maybe representative of the larger professional landscape today, maybe not. Like to see what you think.

Skills noteworthy in that posting:
a. Spatial analysis and modeling
b. Database management using RDBMS
c. System administration
d. Software/hardware technical support
e. Programming
f. Project management
g. Vendor management
h. Grant management
i. Customer service

[Riverside]

And Python could be used in at least 6 of these (a-f), and if you count automated email delivery as customer service, then 7 (i). In fact forums could be considered customer service, and that can involve django.

Ahh Olympia, nice place, Are you looking Jim?

[jbarry]

And Python could be used in at least 6 of these (a-f), and if you count automated email delivery as customer service, then 7 (i). In fact forums could be considered customer service, and that can involve django.

Ahh Olympia, nice place, Are you looking Jim?

Great point about Python as it relates to that list below. I didn't think of it quite that way. Other than my more general point further below about "...sure you can use ArcGIS without scripting, but why?". I really don't get the premise of the original question. To me it sounds like "I found a way to do some of my work more efficiently, but I'm debating whether or not I should do that." Just doesn't make sense to me. Hopefully it's just me.

No, not looking. Just saw a tweet yesterday with that link and I was interested in what this employer thought a "GIS Analyst III" meant to them; thus what it might mean to us in the context of this thread.

[Hippophibia]

GIS should be renamed SIS (spatial information system); how can one claim to be a system Guru or mange a GIS system without strong IT system skills (DMS, OS, programming, web pub.). I find it very strange that there post graduate courses up to ‘M’ level in GIS & RS but don’t include formal DBMS, SQL or programming.
The IT manger where I work was looking for alternate work and showed me a job advert posted by a town council to manage the councils IT department and maintain the GIS system.
GIS is becoming so mainstream it is no longer in the domain of natural scientist and will soon revert to IT professionals as part of many other responsibilities ~ where scripting skills is definitely a requirement. To natural scientist it is just one of many tools to get the job done. As with all other industries e.g accountants do accounting and let the IT guy worry about the information storage and interfaces, they get on with mediocre spreadsheet skills.
GIS industry is claimed to be growing rapidly and will soon redefine itself!!