PostGIS for 10.1

Question

Hi,

When this document says that 10.1 only support PostgreSQL 9.05 64bit and PostGIS 1.5.1. Can I assume that it only applies to ArcSDE connection? That is, if I use Query Layer, I can use whatever version of PostgreSQL and PostGIS?

Thanks.

VinceAngelo · Answer

Please review the documentation on Esri database support policies.  In short, they say that Esri 
can only support versions which have been certified; later service packs are "assumed to work"
(sort-of supported if they do work, and unsupported if they don't).  Most of the Esri software
baseline has shifted to 64-bit at 10.1, so the majority of the testing (and therefore certification)
has been done with 64-bit.

"Direct Connect" does not mean "Query Layer" -- these are very different technologies. "Backward
compatible" on that page refers to support for ArcGIS 9.3.x servers from 10.0 clients, not across 
database releases (which I know do not work, because a minor release changed the default bitsize
of date types somewhen between 8.3 and 8.3.8).

If you connected to a 32-bit 9.05 PostgreSQL with PostGIS 1.5.1 from a 32-bit or 64-bit ArcGIS 
client, then yes, it is supported.  Higher releases fall in "assumed to work"; lower releases are 
"unsupported" (but may work [for now]).

In general, it's best to make a snapshot of PostgreSQL and PostGIS binaries 3-6 months before
a new version of ArcGIS is scheduled to be released, so that you can be sure to find compatible
binaries when ArcGIS finishes certification and is ready to ship.

- V

DanaReed · Answer

Thanks for your reply. I knew you were right but I can't resist the notion of using a different version of PostGIS because there is not 64bit built of PostGIS on windows, not to mention the specific minor version. So I did some research.

This page about query layer says we must use supported version:You must use a release of the DBMS that is supported by the ArcGIS version you are using. Check the ArcGIS Resource Center for DBMS support information for ArcGIS Server.

However, it is very vague because the "supported version" mentioned in my last post clearly meant for ArcSDE. And because, in query layer's case, ArcGIS is simply a client of the database, I find it is hard to believe that is has to use 64 bit postgresql.

And this page says that "direct connection" (which to me seems to mean query layer) is backward compatible.

I did try to use ArcGIS 10.1 (both desktop and server) to connect to a 32bit postgresql/postgis. And it worked. But I am confused about if this is officially supported by ESRI or not.

VinceAngelo · Answer

That's unlikely to be a safe assumption.  Even Query Layers needs to be compiled
against a reference release.  If a minor revision breaks reverse client compatibilty,
then all versions at that level and higher will shift from "assumed to work" to
"unsupported".

- V