Best GIS Programming Books of 2025

Wilson Cook Avatar
Wilson Cook
Last Updated: Apr 26, 2023

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GIS Programming Books are essential resources for anyone interested in geographic information systems and programming. These books cover a range of topics, from the basics of GIS programming to more advanced techniques and applications. They offer practical advice and guidance on using programming languages such as Python, R, and Java to develop GIS solutions. Some of the most popular GIS programming books include "Python Scripting for ArcGIS," "GIS Tutorial for Python Scripting," and "Mastering ArcGIS Server Development with JavaScript." Whether you're a beginner or an experienced programmer, these books are sure to enhance your GIS skills and knowledge.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Electrical engineering without prior knowledge: Understand the basics within 7 days (Become an Engineer Without Prior Knowledge) Cover #TOP 1
Electrical engineering without prior knowledge: Understand the basics within 7 days (Become an Engineer Without Prior Knowledge)
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Debt Payoff Planner: Simple Debt Payoff Tracker: That Helps You Control Your Financial Situation and Pay off Debts - 110 Pages (8.5" x 11" Inches) Cover #TOP 2
Debt Payoff Planner: Simple Debt Payoff Tracker: That Helps You Control Your Financial Situation and Pay off Debts - 110 Pages (8.5" x 11" Inches)
ftb score rating icon 9.8
GPS for Land Surveyors Cover #TOP 3
GPS for Land Surveyors
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 GIS Programming Books

Electrical engineering without prior knowledge: Understand the basics within 7 days (Become an Engineer Without Prior Knowledge)

Spahic, Benjamin
Independently published
Oct 23, 2020
Electrical engineering without prior knowledge: Understand the basics within 7 days (Become an Engineer Without Prior Knowledge) Cover
Electrical engineering without prior knowledge: Understand the basics within 7 days (Become an Engineer Without Prior Knowledge)

"Electrical Engineering Without Prior Knowledge" is a beginner's guide to understanding the basics of electrical engineering within seven days. The book covers direct current technology, alternating current technology, electrical circuit diagrams, and practical examples. With real-life applications and small exercises, readers can quickly grasp the concepts of electrical current, voltage, and energy. The second edition of the book has 42% more content and includes alternating current theory and electromagnetic radiation. The book is simply explained, to the point, and written in a way that everyone can understand. Overall, it's a great option for those looking to expand their knowledge of electrical engineering without any previous experience."

Debt Payoff Planner: Simple Debt Payoff Tracker: That Helps You Control Your Financial Situation and Pay off Debts - 110 Pages (8.5" x 11" Inches)

Press, Modern Simple
Oct 21, 2020
Debt Payoff Planner: Simple Debt Payoff Tracker: That Helps You Control Your Financial Situation and Pay off Debts - 110 Pages (8.5" x 11" Inches) Cover
Debt Payoff Planner: Simple Debt Payoff Tracker: That Helps You Control Your Financial Situation and Pay off Debts - 110 Pages (8.5" x 11" Inches)

The Debt Payoff Planner is a must-have for anyone looking to take control of their finances and pay off their debts. With 110 pages and a size of 8.5" x 11" inches, this planner provides a simple and effective way to keep track of your finances and stay on top of your debt payments. The high-quality paper and soft, premium matte cover make it easy to use with gel pen, ink, or pencils. This book is perfect for those who want to take control of their finances and achieve financial freedom. Highly recommended!

#TOP 3

GPS for Land Surveyors

Van Sickle, Jan
CRC Press
Jun 1, 2015
GPS for Land Surveyors Cover
GPS for Land Surveyors

The fourth edition of GPS for Land Surveyors by CRC Press is an informative guide on GPS and Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). The book covers changes in hardware, software, and procedures, as well as up-to-date information on GNSS and GPS modernization. The author explains the concepts in a clear and concise manner, minimizing reliance on mathematical explanations and maximizing the use of illustrations and examples. This book is an excellent resource for land surveyors and anyone interested in GPS technology.

#TOP 4

Introductory Digital Image Processing: A Remote Sensing Perspective (Pearson Series in Geographic Information Science)

Jensen, John
Pearson
Apr 21, 2015
Introductory Digital Image Processing: A Remote Sensing Perspective (Pearson Series in Geographic Information Science) Cover
Introductory Digital Image Processing: A Remote Sensing Perspective (Pearson Series in Geographic Information Science)

Introductory Digital Image Processing: A Remote Sensing Perspective is an ideal book for students and scientists who want to learn how to extract biophysical information from remote sensor data for Earth resource management applications. The book provides up-to-date information on analytical methods used to analyze digital remote sensing data. It is extensively illustrated and contains a substantive reference list that can be used as a starting place for digital image processing projects or research. The book's author, John R. Jensen, is a Carolina Distinguished Professor Emeritus who has conducted more than 50 remote sensing-related projects and published more than 120 refereed journal articles. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for anyone interested in remote sensing and GIS.

#TOP 5

Transdisciplinary Multispectral Modeling and Cooperation for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage: First International Conference, TMM_CH 2018, ... ... in Computer and Information Science, 961)

Moropoulou, Antonia
Korres, Manolis
Georgopoulos, Andreas
Spyrakos, Constantine
Mouzakis, Charalambos
Springer
Feb 21, 2019
Transdisciplinary Multispectral Modeling and Cooperation for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage: First International Conference, TMM_CH 2018, ... ... in Computer and Information Science, 961) Cover
Transdisciplinary Multispectral Modeling and Cooperation for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage: First International Conference, TMM_CH 2018, ... ... in Computer and Information Science, 961)

This two-volume set, published by Springer, features the post-conference proceedings of the First International Conference on Transdisciplinary Multispectral Modeling and Cooperation for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage, TMM_CH 2018, held in Athens, Greece. The volumes include 73 revised full papers from 237 submissions, covering topics such as digital heritage, resilience to climate change, and sustainable preservation of historic cities. The book provides valuable insights into the latest techniques and approaches for preserving cultural heritage. It is a must-read for professionals in the field of heritage conservation, architecture, and 3D graphic design.

#TOP 6

Photogrammetric Computer Vision: Statistics, Geometry, Orientation and Reconstruction (Geometry and Computing, 11)

Förstner, Wolfgang
Wrobel, Bernhard P.
Springer
Jun 14, 2018
Photogrammetric Computer Vision: Statistics, Geometry, Orientation and Reconstruction (Geometry and Computing, 11) Cover
Photogrammetric Computer Vision: Statistics, Geometry, Orientation and Reconstruction (Geometry and Computing, 11)

This book presents a statistical approach to the geometry of multiple view analysis, which is essential for camera calibration, orientation, and geometric scene reconstruction based on geometric image features. The authors provide algorithms for various geometric computation problems in vision metrology, together with mathematical justifications and statistical analysis, enabling thorough evaluations. The book is self-contained with numerous figures, exercises, and a detailed index, making it a suitable basis for undergraduate and graduate courses in photogrammetry, computer vision, and computer graphics. It is also appropriate for researchers, engineers, and software developers in the photogrammetry and GIS industries, particularly those engaged with statistically based geometric computer vision methods.

#TOP 7

The Esri Guide to GIS Analysis, Volume 3: Modeling Suitability, Movement, and Interaction (The ESRI Guide to GIS Analysis, 3)

Mitchell, Andy
Esri Press
Jul 16, 2012
The Esri Guide to GIS Analysis, Volume 3: Modeling Suitability, Movement, and Interaction (The ESRI Guide to GIS Analysis, 3) Cover
The Esri Guide to GIS Analysis, Volume 3: Modeling Suitability, Movement, and Interaction (The ESRI Guide to GIS Analysis, 3)

The Esri Guide to GIS Analysis, Volume 3: Modeling Suitability, Movement, and Interaction is a must-have book for students and professional GIS analysts. The book provides practical applications of modeling concepts in a GIS, demonstrating how to evaluate locations, analyze movement, and interpret results. With full-color maps and illustrations, readers can better understand spatial interaction, site selection, routing, and scheduling. What sets this book apart is its focus on modeling and its clear explanations of how to apply these concepts to real-world scenarios. This book is an excellent resource for anyone interested in GIS programming.

#TOP 8

Data Assimilation: Making Sense of Observations

Lahoz, William
Khattatov, Boris
Menard, Richard
Springer
Jul 5, 2010
Data Assimilation: Making Sense of Observations Cover
Data Assimilation: Making Sense of Observations

Data Assimilation: Making Sense of Observations is an essential read for those interested in earth science disciplines. The book provides a comprehensive overview of data assimilation methods, from the theoretical basis to its application to various components of the Earth System. The contributions from top international experts in the field make it a reliable reference for both beginners and experts. The book also includes references to recent developments in data assimilation theory, such as the Ensemble Kalman filter, and to novel applications of the method in fields like ionosphere and Mars data assimilation. Overall, this book is a valuable addition to the GIS Programming Books category.

#TOP 9

GIS for Environmental Applications: A practical approach

Zhu, Xuan
Routledge
Jun 7, 2016
GIS for Environmental Applications: A practical approach Cover
GIS for Environmental Applications: A practical approach

This book, GIS for Environmental Applications, provides an excellent introduction to GIS principles, methods, and techniques for spatial data management, analysis, modeling, and visualization, and demonstrates their applications in environmental problem-solving and decision-making. The book covers fundamental concepts and techniques, including spatial data management, spatial analysis and modeling, remote sensing data analysis, and spatial statistics, among others. It also provides step-by-step tutorials and practical applications of GIS techniques using ESRI ArcGIS, making it an essential resource for students taking a module on GIS for the environment. Overall, this book is an authoritative and comprehensive resource that combines theory and practice, making it unique and valuable for environmental research, management, and planning.

#TOP 10

Getting to Know ArcGIS

Law, Michael
Collins, Amy
Esri Press
Jul 13, 2015
Getting to Know ArcGIS Cover
Getting to Know ArcGIS

Getting to Know ArcGIS is an excellent guide for beginners who want to learn about ArcGIS for Desktop. The fourth edition includes new exercises on map sharing and georeferencing, new datasets and scenarios, and an introduction to ArcGIS Pro. The book is written in a clear and concise manner with hands-on exercises that make it easy for readers to follow along. The authors, Michael Law and Amy Collins, have years of experience in cartography, GIS, and technical writing, which is evident in the quality of the book. Overall, Getting to Know ArcGIS is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning about ArcGIS for Desktop.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the best programming language for GIS?

Python has been a standard language in GIS because Esri and open source tend to gravitate toward it. If you're new to GIS programming, we suggest learning Python first because it's highly sought after. By leveraging Python libraries, many consider this GIS scripting language to be the front-runner.

2. Is there programming in GIS?

Having some competence in programming has become a critical requirement for many geospatial positions. The majority of GIS analyst level positions require some expertise in programming and application development.

3. What programming language is GIS?

Python is the standard programming language for ArcGIS and other fields such as remote sensing, GPS, spatial modeling, and statistical analysis. A Python Primer for ArcGIS(r) combines fundamental Python programming structures to help professionals automate common geoprocessing functions.

4. Is Python good for GIS?

Python libraries are the ultimate extension in GIS because it allows you to boost its core functionality. By using Python libraries, you can break out of the mold that is GIS and dive into some serious data science. There are 200+ standard libraries in Python. But there are thousands of third-party libraries too.

Editor's Notes

During our gis programming book research, we found 1,200+ gis programming book products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 4,448 customer reviews through our big data system to write the gis programming books list. We found that most customers choose gis programming books with an average price of $38.87.

Written by
Wilson Cook Avatar

Wilson Cook is a talented writer who has an MFA in creative writing from Williams College and has published more than 50 books acquired by hundreds of thousands of people from various countries by now. He is an inveterate reading lover as he has read a vast amount of books since childhood.