Using ogrinfo in Python script

Question

I've been using OGR/GDAL in its command window to obtain information regarding a vector file with this command

ogrinfo -so -al d:/vector_file.shp

I'm now trying to do the equivalent of this feature in a Python script but I'm unsure how to do it.

I tried looking in this documentation https://pcjericks.github.io/py-gdalogr-cookbook/vector_layers.html#get-shapefile-feature-count

but couldn't find any examples with ogrinfo or how to explicitly state the arguments

I've also seen the answer https://gis.stackexchange.com/a/280900/2581, but would rather not use the subprocess module and instead the osgeo.

• gene: Duplicate of GDAL/OGR ogrinfo for shapefiles in python ?
• dabba293: @gene I had seen this answer, but thought there might be a way to use from osgeo rather than subprocess. Is this not the case?
• Vince: If you want to use the external binary, then subprocess is the route. If you want to do the equivalent in Python, then you need to rewrite the Question to ask that.
• dabba293: @Vince sorry, I've modified the question now
• user30184: See also gis.stackexchange.com/questions/429788/…. The whole ogrinfo is also written as a python script in the code samples github.com/OSGeo/gdal/blob/master/swig/python/gdal-utils/….

Answer 1

Ogrinfo is available nowadays also as a Python library function gdal.VectorInfo and it is very easy to use.

from osgeo import gdal
gdal.VectorInfo("point.shp")
"INFO: Open of `point.shp'\n using driver `ESRI Shapefile' successful.\n\nLayer name: point\nMetadata:\n DBF_DATE_LAST_UPDATE=2023年03月01日\nGeometry: Point\nFeature Count: 3\nExtent: (7156402.165550, 207.123904) - (7156409.373471, 210.034795)\nLayer SRS WKT:\n(unknown)\nattr: String (1.0)\nnewcol: String (1.0)\nmy_fid: Integer (3.0)\n"

• user30184: In the C api, yes. For Python it is gdal.VectorInfo gdal.org/api/python/utilities.html#osgeo.gdal.VectorInfo.
• Taras: I do no think that you need ogr library in the imports.
• user30184: You are right, verified with GDAL 3.8.5 and answer edited.
• Taras: Unfortunatelly I do not know you in person, but I am so excited and driven by your answers. Highly cherish and admire your efforts in sharing knowledge and wisdom. Thank you so much!

Answer 2

Another option is to employ the Python subprocess package.

Also, one needs to know where the ogrinfo.exe file is located.

After executing one of the following commands:

import subprocess
command = "C:/OSGeo4W/bin/ogrinfo.exe -so -al D:/qgis_test/points_4326.shp"
output, error = subprocess.Popen(command,
 universal_newlines=True,
 stdout=subprocess.PIPE,
 stderr=subprocess.PIPE
 ).communicate()
print(output)

or

import subprocess
command = "C:/OSGeo4W/bin/ogrinfo.exe -so -al D:/qgis_test/points_4326.shp"
output = subprocess.check_call(command)
print(output)

It is possible to get such an output:

INFO: Open of `D:/qgis_test/points_4326.shp'
 using driver `ESRI Shapefile' successful.
Layer name: points_4326
Metadata:
 DBF_DATE_LAST_UPDATE=2023年11月20日
Geometry: Point
Feature Count: 3
Extent: (-58.497423, -34.726643) - (-58.495246, -34.725891)
Layer SRS WKT:
GEOGCRS["WGS 84",
 DATUM["World Geodetic System 1984",
 ELLIPSOID["WGS 84",6378137,298.257223563,
 LENGTHUNIT["metre",1]]],
 PRIMEM["Greenwich",0,
 ANGLEUNIT["degree",0.0174532925199433]],
 CS[ellipsoidal,2],
 AXIS["latitude",north,
 ORDER[1],
 ANGLEUNIT["degree",0.0174532925199433]],
 AXIS["longitude",east,
 ORDER[2],
 ANGLEUNIT["degree",0.0174532925199433]],
 ID["EPSG",4326]]
Data axis to CRS axis mapping: 2,1
id: Integer64 (10.0)
city: String (15.0)

---

References:

• Using ogr2ogr in Python scripts
• Execute ogr2ogr from python