Module 2 Natural Hazard, Lahar Event - answers to burning questions

While learning about Lahars and their impacts was very interesting, the main focal points of Module 2 were the creation of data using the XY tool, exploring the Spatial Analyst Extension, using the Raster Mosaic Tool and preparing datasets for use in a geodatabase.  As I worked through the steps I the lab, I created an outline of the overall process, key metadata information and tools used project, import and/or create the information.  Employed tools were as follows:  XY Tool, ArcToolbox-DataManagement-Project, AcrToolbox-DataManagement-BatchProject, ArcToolbox-DataManagementTools-Raster-RasterDataset-MosaictoNewRaster, SpatialAnalystTools-Hydrology-Fill, SpatialAnalystTools-Hydrology-FlowDirection, SpatialAnalystTools-Hydrology-FlowAccumulation, SpatialAnalystTools-Math-int, SpatialAnalystToos-Conditional-Con, SpatialAnalystTools-Hydrology-StreamtoFeature, Select by Location, ArcToolbox-AnalysisTools-Proximity-Buffer, and Attribute Table Statistics.  Critical to this week’s module was not only logical thinking, but also logical file naming.  Because many tools created data which was in turned used by the next tool it was imperative to establish a naming process that made sense both now and in the future should you need to review or justify your processes.  Integral to this was the creation of a default geodatabase so that data created stored to a default location for this project; this saved time as I did not have to navigate to my project location every time I created a dataset.  I chose to follow the default naming conventions ArcDesktop employed.  Since I was documenting my steps as I went, it was easy to notate the file name and follow the pattern created by ArcDesktop.  This documentation process also helps to solidify my knowledge of what each tool does, where to locate it and what outcome to expect.