Microsoft Visual Studio
I am using the 2017 Community edition.
2018-04-01 Updated to 15.6.4 (on Murre)
I want to try to develop some ArcObjects tools and I want to access those tools from Python.
So, that gives me two tasks: set up C# and the ESRI SDKs and set up Python.
I have ESRI and Anaconda versions of Python. I originally installed the Anaconda versions to use Spyder. I like the conda package and environment management so I want (at least for now) to continue using them.
I used to be a Windows developer so I was in Visual Studio sessions all day, every day. So far it's working nearly as well with Python as it did with C#. Integration with ESRI/ArcPy has been seamless.
Installation
Use the "Preview" version: https://www.visualstudio.com/vs/preview/
For reasons I mention on the Anaconda page, do NOT install the versions of Python and Anaconda that are available in the Visual Studio installer. Install them separately. Install only the "Python development" workload and turn off Python 3x64; Visual Studio won't have any problem finding and using the ESRI and Anaconda packages. This also means you won't need administrative permission to install or update Anaconda packages. If you install the Microsoft version, you will have to run to your administrator every time you need a new Python package.
Set up
Select the Python you want
- Tools->Python->Python Environment
- Select the one for ESRI Python 2.7.14 64-bit for modern ArcMap work or 32-bit if you need Personal Geodatabases
- Choose "Make this the default for new projects"
Tabs at 4, really?
Microsoft is still clinging to settings tabs in the text editor at 4. It should be tabs at 8 and blank fill. Set it thus and avoid a world of pain.
Tools -> Options -> Python -> Tabs
Use Git for version control
Go to "Tools -> Options -> Source Control" and under "Plug-in Selection", switch to Git.
So far I still use git from the command line.
Use the experimental support for Intellisense
This is a checkbox under Tools->Options->Python->Experimental
ArcObjects 10.6 SDK
https://desktop.arcgis.com/en/system-requirements/latest/arcobjects-sdk-system-requirements.htm
ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Engine, or ArcGIS Server is required to develop with ArcObjects SDK.
Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5 or higher
Visual Studio 2017 Community should be okay and it comes with 4.6 framework.
Samples will be found in C:\Program Files (x86)\ArcGIS\DeveloperKit10.6
