Select features by subtype

Question

I have numerous geodatabase feature classes, each of which contains several subtypes, so in total there are approx 150 different subtypes. I need to create new separate feature classes for each of those subtypes, containing all of the features of that particular subtype (so that I can output them to a text file). I am quite new to scripting, but believe I could achieve this if I created a list of all those subtypes. However, I assume I should be able to do this without the need to create the list. I understand loops, but it's how to group the features according to subtype that I am struggling with - any tips would be much appreciated.

IanMusto · Answer

Lee,

Nothing to do with this particular Python posting, it's just very interesting to find someone with the Musto surname.

If you would like to chat - ian.musto@csiro.au.

Cheers

Ian

PS Sorry to disturb the rest of the thread

LeeMusto · Answer

Chris,

I understand how your script works - I would never have known about the 'Set' function without your reply. I'll give it a try in the near future.

Many thanks for your help.

ChrisMathers · Answer

Ah ok. Well you need only to know which field holds the subtype values.
 
for FC in listofFC:
    s_cursor=arcpy.SearchCursor(FC)
    subtypes=[]
    for row in s_cursor:
        subtypes.append(row.getValue(subtypefield))
    subtypes=set(subtypes)
    for i in subtypes:
        do the stuff you need to for each subtype

Getting the list of values and then making them a set will take [a,a,a,b,c,v,v,c,b] and make it [a,b,c,v].