This document provides an overview of using Python and the Geoprocessor object to automate geoprocessing tasks in ArcGIS. It discusses: 1) Converting multiple ASCII files to rasters, merging the rasters, reclassifying the data, and converting it to polygon and polyline shapefiles involves many manual steps. 2) Scripting can automate this repetitive process and save time compared to performing the tasks manually each time. 3) The Geoprocessor object in ArcGIS provides a single access point to the toolbox and its methods/properties can be used to programmatically run geoprocessing tools from Python scripts.