History of versioned data after feature class to feature class

Question

Hi there I am using ArcMap 10.0.2 connected to ArcSDE 9.3.1, with the database hosted in Oracle 9i. I have a feature class which is registered as version with no edits moved to base. This is so I can track it over time. If I then do a feature class to feature class conversion, in order to create a backup, will it still contain the same history, as in archiving? The current logic is like this: 1. Using feature class to feature class, Take current and generate one with the name _new 2. rename current to backup 3. rename _new to 4. Register as versioned Kind regards Tim

TimLangner · Answer

Hi Brent

No what I want is a complete copy of the whole archive. Not  any set point in time but the whole archive.

Imagine I was going to  publish a book detailing the chronological history of a place. Say I give the  book to the printers to print 10,000 copies. The printer wouldn't just print the  final section containing the most recent history, no they would print every page  in the book.

That is what I wish to achieve when doing a feature class to  feature class copy. Although our complete geodatabase gets backed up, it is  backed up by our IT department and they have no GIS knowledge or knowledge of  ArcSDE. Thus it is far easier for me to restore the feature class from my own  backup copy, should any data issues arise, then asking IT to do it. However I  cannot do this with archiving enabled.

I have added a post to ESRI ideas.  So if anyone else would like this extremely useful function, add your support  there.

Not signed into or don't have an ESRI account use this link:
http://ideas.arcgis.com/ideaView?id=08730000000brpcAAA

Signed into an ESRI account use this link:
https://c.na1.visual.force.com/apex/ideaView?id=08730000000brpc&returnUrl=%2Fapex%2FideaList%3Fc%3D09a300000004xET%26sort%3Drecent

Kind  regards

Tim

BrentPierce · Answer

Tim,

I hope I am understanding your workflow and goal correctly but if you navigate to the specific moment in time you want to backup in ArcMap you should be able to use the layer as input into the  Feature Class to Feature Class GP Tool to copy the archived representation of the Feature Class to another data source. Alternatively, you can right click on the Feature Layer in the ArcMap Table of Contents and select Data>Export to export the archived representation.

Hope this helps,
-Brent

TimLangner · Answer

Hi Tim,
If changes need to be tracked over time, a feature class must be registered as versioned without the option of moving edits to base and archiving must be enabled. If archiving is not enabled, one cannot connect to a historical version to track the changes.

Please review the following help links and verify if it paints a clearer picture.

Enable archiving
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http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisserver/10.0/help/arcgis_server_dotnet_help/index.html#//0093000015z6000000

Disable archiving
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http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisserver/10.0/help/arcgis_server_dotnet_help/index.html#/Disabling_archiving/0093000015z7000000/

Thanks

Thank you for your reply. I have already registered the tables as versioned without moving the edits to base so the archive could be enabled.

I read the two help documents but they make no reference to feature class to feature class copying with regards to archiving, which is what I am trying to figure out.

Would archiving achieve a similar result to creating a back up? Although the database itself gets backed up, I am wishing to have a day old backup of the table encase the table corrupts. As this is easier to get hold of. Could a table corrupting cause an archive to corrupt more easily than a day old back up?

I am going to raise a support call with ESRI UK and I when I get a moment I will post back what they suggest and/or say.

Kind regards

Tim