Treffer: VISUAL PROGRAMMING FOR NOVICE PROGRAMMERS IN GEOINFORMATICS.

Geographic information systems are used by geographers, engineers, surveyors, clerks that are not familiar with text programming. Visual programming brings to these users the opportunity to construct the batch data processing program in a graphical way. GIS software is frequently supplemented by components for visual programming. These components are aimed mainly for easy programming of the data batch processing. Advantage is storing the program of batch processing for the repetitive running on various spatial data sets. Furthermore, exchanging program between users is valuable. From my perspective as a teacher I am most interested in the question how novices learn to program. Visual programming is a fresh start point for a novice programmer. Visual program is more comprehensible than textual programming. Evaluation of possibilities of the component ModelBuilder in ArcGIS software is mentioned. Model Builder produce program called "model" than can be converted to Python scripting language. This moment changes common users to programmers. Comparison of the same graphic version of model with converted textual Python script helps to understand commands. Novice programmer learn how call the geoprocessor module, check licensees of extensions, how to set input parameters and how call tolls from Arc Toolbox. Visual programming is easy in ModelBuilder. Subsequently, users are able to comprehend and write the Python scripts quickly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]