ArcGIS Pro

Which types of feature classes have both a Shape field and Shape_Length field?

Polygon and line feature classes

feature class

is a collection of geographic features with the same geometry type, attributes, and spatial reference.

geodatabase

is a container that stores spatial and attribute data. In a geodatabase, you can structure your features and their associated attributes (nonspatial information about a geographic feature in a GIS) in an integrated system that enforces rules, relationships, and topological associations. In other words, the geodatabase allows you to model the real world with as much simplicity or complexity as you decide.

mosaic dataset

is a data model within a geodatabase that is used to store, manage, view, and query large collections of raster data. It can be a heterogeneous collection of raster datasets (individual images) with multiple formats, sources, data types, resolutions, number of bands, pixel depths, file sizes, and coordinate systems.

Schema

refers to the structure of the geodatabase, feature classes, tables, and any other components you may have.

feature dataset

A feature dataset's main purpose is to store spatially related feature classes in a common dataset for building a topology, a network dataset, a terrain dataset, or a geometric network. When you create a feature dataset, you must specify the spatial reference. You can then add feature classes of any geometry type (point, line, or polygon) to it, but they must have the same spatial reference as the feature dataset.

file geodatabase

A file geodatabase is a collection of GIS datasets and is stored in a file system folder. File geodatabases work across operating systems and can store individual datasets up to 1 terabyte (TB) in size by default. The size limit can be increased with keywords to 256 TB. File geodatabases support multiple people editing different feature classes or tables at the same time. Because of their increased capacity and editing capabilities, file geodatabases are the recommended type for ArcGIS Pro users.

What are some of the objects that you can store in a file geodatabase?

Several objects can be stored in a file geodatabase: feature classes, feature datasets, nonspatial attribute tables, and mosaic datasets.

When you import a shapefile, CAD dataset, or coverage, is the spatial reference imported along with the data?

Yes. When importing shapefiles, CAD datasets, and coverages, the spatial reference is imported along with the data.

Can you add data to an empty feature class?

Yes. You can add data to an empty feature class. You can also add data to a feature class that already contains data.

Enterprise geodatabase

supports versioning and replication. They require a database management system (DBMS), such as DB2, Informix, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, or PostgreSQL. Typically found in larger organizations, enterprise geodatabases support multiple users viewing and editing the GIS database at the same time. In fact, enterprise geodatabases allow for unlimited editors and database size.