Update FeatureCalss Alias - the mythical arcpy.AlterAliasName

Question

I have a funny - if I create a feature class via import XML workspace document the alias is just the feature class name eg COUNTY, but if I create it using arcpy.CreateFeatureclass_management the alias is schema name '.' feature class name eg GISLOADER.COUNTY.

I have not found a means to set the alias when the feature class is created, and as much as I read that 10.1 will have arcpy.AlterAliasName I'm at 10.0.

Any pointers in sorting this out, using ArcCatalog or arcpy ?

cheers

Mike

AndrzejBieniek · Answer

Hi Andrzej, 
Are you using an earlier version perhaps?

Yes, we are still having SDE 9.3.1 on production server. The table might be gone in 10...

Regards,
Andrzej

MikeSweetman · Answer

Hi Andrzej,

Thanks for the advice, I really thought I was on to a winner, BUT, in my 10.0 SDE schema I do not have a gdb_featureclasses or a gdb_objectclasses table. Are you using an earlier version perhaps?

I have looked for columns with ALIAS in their name, but only have SDE.SDE_XML_INDEX_TAGS.TAG_ALIAS.

SDE.GDB* tables I have are GDB_ITEMS, GDB_ITEMRELATIONSHIPTYPES, GDB_ITEMRELATIONSHIPS, GDB_ITEMTYPES, GDB_REPLICALOG, GDB_TABLES_LAST_MODIFIED.

thanks

Mike

AndrzejBieniek · Answer

In SDE schema there is a table SDE.GDB_FEATURECLASSES - you do select (ORACLE) like:

SQL> select id,name,aliasname from gdb_objectclasses where name like '%COUNCIL_WARDS_2012_RESULTS';

to find ID then update the alias and commit the changes:

SQL> update gdb_objectclasses set aliasname='NLC Councillors 2012' where id=1173;
1 row updated.
SQL> commit;

You need to refresh the connection in Arc Catalog to see your alias updated.

Have used that method several times - no problems so far.

Regards,
Andrzej