Problem with Summary Statistics in ArcPy

Question

Hello, I have a question regarding Summary Statistics in ArcPy. I am working with a feature class that contains points whose attributes are two string fields called "CATEGORY" and "NAME". I would like to count the number of points by category. I believe the summary statistics is very useful in this case. So the syntax would be: arcpy.Statistics_analysis(, , [["CATEGORY", "COUNT"]], "CATEGORY") NOTE: the <> are used to simplify the input and output table of course! I did not code it like that! 🙂 When I run it as a stand alone script I got a message saying that the , cannot be created. It is actually created but it is empty. I think the mistake can be in the way I am passing the fields and statistics required AND I also have a rather sinister feeling... Do the fields HAVE to be numeric? I am sure and tested in both ModelBuilder and Python Window they do not have to be numeric. Any help appreciated!

mauriziogibin · Answer

You cannot write a dbf to a gdb... you would have to create a gdb table.

Thank you very much! 
Now the problem is solved!
Thanks a lot for your help!

Maurizio

rzufelt · Answer

It uses the file extention to determine what type of table/file you are trying to create.

If you are trying to write the dbf inside a FGDB, then you are most the way there.  Just drop the .dbf extension from the filename and it will create a FGDB table instead and will let you save it there.

R_

MathewCoyle · Answer

I found what is the problem! Thanks for your help...
It seems to have a problem when I triy to write the dbf table inside a gdb.
I tested the script and when you write in the different location, everything works fine. If you try to write on a gdb - the same where the input feature class is - you get an error saying the table cannot be created...The probme is solved but I would like to know why this happens and of course I would like to write the table in the same gdb where the in put feature class is.
Thanks for your help and....any ideas???

You cannot write a dbf to a gdb... you would have to create a gdb table.