Q:

How do I add a shapefile in ArcGIS via python scripting?

I am trying to automate various tasks in ArcGIS Desktop (using ArcMap generally) with Python, and I keep needing a way to add a shape file to the current map. (And then do stuff to it, but that's another story).
The best I can do so far is to add a layer file to the current map, using the following ("addLayer" is a layer file object):
def AddLayerFromLayerFile(addLayer):
 import arcpy
 mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument("CURRENT")
 df = arcpy.mapping.ListDataFrames(mxd, "Layers")[0]
 arcpy.mapping.AddLayer(df, addLayer, "AUTO_ARRANGE")
 arcpy.RefreshActiveView()
 arcpy.RefreshTOC()
 del mxd, df, addLayer

However, my raw data is always going be shape files, so I need to be able to open them. (Equivantly: convert a shape file to a layer file wiothout opening it, but I'd prefer not to do that).

A:

Variable "theShape" is the path of the shape file to be added.
import arcpy
import arcpy.mapping
# get the map document 
mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument("CURRENT")  

# get the data frame 
df = arcpy.mapping.ListDataFrames(mxd,"*")[0]  

# create a new layer 
newlayer = arcpy.mapping.Layer(theShape)  

# add the layer to the map at the bottom of the TOC in data frame 0 
arcpy.mapping.AddLayer(df, newlayer,"BOTTOM")

# Refresh things
arcpy.RefreshActiveView()
arcpy.RefreshTOC()
del mxd, df, newlayer

