The Howdy Glossary

ESRI-Avenue was a programming language developed by Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) for customizing and extending the functionality of their Geographic Information System (GIS) software, specifically ArcView GIS, in the early 1990s. It enabled users to create dialogs, buttons, and scripts to automate workflows and extend capabilities beyond built-in tools. However, it was discontinued with the release of ArcGIS 8.3 in 2001, as more versatile languages like Visual Basic began to replace it due to its constraints within ESRI's framework.

Despite offering unique features such as tight integration with ESRI's GIS products and a user-friendly interface within ArcView GIS for creating custom solutions, ESRI-Avenue faced limitations that made it less practical over time. Competing programming languages like Python offered greater flexibility and versatility for developers looking to customize GIS software beyond what ESRI-Avenue could provide. These more general-purpose languages gained popularity due to their broader applications outside GIS and increased adaptability within various development environments.

The discontinuation of ESRI-Avenue highlighted the shift towards more adaptable programming languages capable of addressing diverse needs within GIS development. While ESRI-Avenue had an advantage in its focused integration with ArcView GIS, allowing seamless interaction between scripts and the software itself, this specialization ultimately constrained developers who sought broader control over their projects. The evolution towards languages like Python demonstrated the industry's move towards tools that offered both specialized functionality for GIS professionals and wider applicability across different programming contexts.