[GIS] How to run a python script on the server, returning the results to the client

arcgis-javascript-apiarcpypython

Here's the end result I'm trying for:

the user clicks on a feature on an ArcGIS Server JS map
a Python script is triggered on the server
the Python script uses an attribute from the feature (eg its OID) to perform some calculations (using arcpy modules)
the results are returned to the infoWindow as HTML, for display

I guess I'd need to be able to trigger a Python script (containing arcpy commands) on the server, passing parameters between the client and server.

Assuming this is possible, what is the best approach:

via the ArcGIS Server geoprocessing framework
directly via an AJAX call to the Python script (and is that even possible)?
something else?

Best Answer

This is the precise use case for a geoprocessing service. Write your script and add it to a geoprocessing toolbox on the server as a script tool.

You can test it on the server while developing the script by hard coding the parameters. Once you're comfortable with your code, replace those hard coded parameters with arcpy.GetParameterAsText(), add to a geoprocessing toolbox as a script tool and publish to ArcGIS Server as either a synchronous (Execute Task) or asynchronous (Submit Job) service.

You can then use the geoprocessor (https://developers.arcgis.com/javascript/jshelp/intro_gp_overview.html) in the Javascript api to send a request to the service as well as handle the result.

Related Solutions

[GIS] How to resize an infoWindow dynamically, based on the contents

Here is a jsFiddle example. Try clicking on Ohio for a smaller info window and then South Carolina for a larger info window.

The relevant code is below:

var g = evt.graphic;
map.infoWindow.setContent(g.getContent());
if(g.getTitle().length > 10){
  map.infoWindow.resize(500,500);
} else {
  map.infoWindow.resize(100,100);
}

[GIS] ArcGIS Geoprocessing Services – Don’t work if ‘Run python script in process’ not checked

I don't think the problem is in the in-process option.

In general in ArcGIS Server the tool must be in-process, because every time a gp tool is called, ArcGIS Server creates a new process for that call and the tool runs inside it, it's not possibile, for server threading reasons, to run the gp tool outside that created process.

on the other side if you plan to run a gp tool on ArcGIS Server you have to think ahead about how to develop the tool because there are some important differences between a desktop tool and a server tool: not all the desktop tool are suitable to run on the server (and this is true noy only for Python gp tools, but also for Model Builder gp tools)

There are differences in what kind of parameters you can use for input and output, you have to take into account the execution folder that ArcGIS Server creates every time a gp tool is called (in which you also have a special folder containing the Scratch geodb), you cannot rely on the file system in the same manner you do on the desktop, and other things like these.

So maybe the problem is somewhere else, and if I have to guess basing on your description this is the case.

Best Answer

Related Solutions

[GIS] How to resize an infoWindow dynamically, based on the contents

[GIS] ArcGIS Geoprocessing Services – Don’t work if ‘Run python script in process’ not checked

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