shapefile.py does not generate projection file (.prj)

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Here's my code:

import shapefile as sf
w = sf.Writer(sf.POINT)
w.point(37.7793, -122.4192)
w.field('FIRST_FLD')
w.record('First','Point')
w.save('test/point')

...it creates point.dbf, point.shp, and point.shx, but it does not create 
point.prj

Since the projection file is not generated I cannot open it in Google Earth Pro

Original issue reported on code.google.com by thesa...@gmail.com on 10 Feb 2011 at 11:23

[GoogleCodeExporter]

You are correct but there is a good reason the library does not write the prj 
file.  The projection (prj) file specifies the Well-Known Text (WKT) format for 
the projection of the shapefile.  The projection cannot be automatically 
detected so the programmer or user must manually specify the projection. All 
GIS software works in this way.  Some packages automatically assume WGS84 (epsg 
code 4326) which is unprojected unless you change it.

I've thought about adding the ability to optionally write prj files but the 
list of "commonly-used" WKT strings is over .5 megs and would be bigger than 
the shapefile library itself.

The easiest thing to do right now is just figure out what WKT string you need 
for your data and quickly write a file.  Here's a modified version of our 
example using WGS84:

import shapefile as sf
filename = 'test/point'

# create the shapefile
w = sf.Writer(sf.POINT)
w.point(37.7793, -122.4192)
w.field('FIRST_FLD')
w.record('First','Point')
w.save(filename)

# create the PRJ file
prj = open("%s.prj" % filename, "w")
epsg = 'GEOGCS["WGS 84",DATUM["WGS_1984",SPHEROID["WGS 
84",6378137,298.257223563]],PRIMEM["Greenwich",0],UNIT["degree",0.01745329251994
33]]'
prj.write(epsg)
prj.close() 

Original comment by geospati...@gmail.com on 11 Feb 2011 at 3:36

• Changed state: Done