Delete features based on Date using Python

Question

Hi,

We have some feature classes stored in a feature dataset in ArcSDE . I want to delete the features which are older than 10 years from the feature classes using a python script.

Every feature class has an attribute field "LAST EDITED ON". The sample value is in format "10/14/2014 1:31:52 AM".

Note: The features which are older than 10 years should be deleted from every feature class on daily basis (If there are any).

We are using ArcGIS version 10.1

I have created following expression which selects the features for deletion.

expression = long(float((arcpy.CalculateValue_management(time.mktime((datetime.datetime.now()+relativedelta(years=-10)).timetuple())))[0])) - long(float((arcpy.CalculateValue_management(time.mktime(time.strptime(!LAST_EDITED_ON!, "%x %X"))))[0])) > 0

The expression runs fine on Python window but gives an error while running as a tool.

SyntaxError: invalid syntax (DeleteFeatureScript_Latest.py, line 18)

Failed to execute (Script).

Line 18 is the expression seen above.

Please suggest how to solve this problem.

Any help will be appreciated.

Anonymous User · Answer

Thanks Xander. That worked perfectly!

XanderBakker · Answer

Hi Collin Horace , You probably have to change the condition like this: import arcpy from datetime import datetime fc = r'Feature Class' with arcpy.da.UpdateCursor(fc, ("LASTUPDATE")) as cursor: for row in cursor: if datetime(year=2019, month=1, day=1) < row[0] < datetime(year=2020, month=1, day=1): cursor.deleteRow() ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ You can also create a selection using the where clause and use the arcpy.DeleteFeatures_management() tool. Test on a copy of you data.

Anonymous User · Answer

Hi Xander,

My goal is to delete features in based on a date range in a FGDB feature class. I ran into problem when trying to specify the query for the dates. Here is what I have so far:

import arcpy
fc = r 'Feature Class'

with arcpy.da.UpdateCursor(fc, "LASTUPDATE") as cursor:
      for row in cursor:

if row[0] ==  Between 1/01/2019 0:00:00 PM AND 1/01/2020 0:00:00 PM:
               cursor.deleteRow()

What would be the correct format for deleting all records within the range? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks