For the unacquainted, viewshed analysis is a technique to find the visible portions of a 2.5D map (or topography) as seen from an observer location. 2.5D means every point of a 2D map has only one height value (hence, not really 3D). Here is a quick example:
After a quick review of the state of the GIS programming environment, it was clear that Python is the most supported and rapid-prototyping ready language for my needs. Coming from a Java, C++ background with some knowledge of PHP, Python really suprised me with its flexibility and transparency. Of course this is my initial reaction.
I will try to express my opinions on the language as well as on the GIS programming environment I plan to use in a later post. But for now, I recommend newcomers like me to read this fun article of Eric Raymond, the famous 'hacker' and advocate of Open Source software, on his inital reactions to Python here: http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/3882
MadChuckle
summary: 'wow, there really were better ways to do stuff!'
mood: on fire
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