topic Re: Does field type matter performance wise when assigning domains in ArcGIS Utility Network Questions

Does field type matter performance wise when assigning domains

Jens_Dalsgaard — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 13:27:12 GMT

Reading here (https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/help/data/geodatabases/overview/an-overview-of-attribute-domains.htm) it appears that the field to which a domain is assigned can be of many data types.

So is it shear imagination when I believe I've Esri heard recommend using data type Integer to obtain best possible performance?

Re: Does field type matter performance wise when assigning domains

JohnAlsup — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 14:20:18 GMT

in a RDBMS, integers will outperform strings, especially when indexed or searched.

Re: Does field type matter performance wise when assigning domains

ZenMasterZeke — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 15:08:29 GMT

The domain's descriptions can be text for integer fields. Ex:

Code Description
1 Yes
0 No

Entering data via dropdowns will display the description and save the code value. You'd need to keep in mind what the values represent when working with the data, such as not thinking the actual value is the string 'Yes'.

Re: Does field type matter performance wise when assigning domains

JoaquinMadrid1 — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 16:49:46 GMT

Hi Jens... as John already indicated, spot on, performance-wise integer values are strongly recommended. Now then, if planning the migration of a legacy system to a new schema, keep also in mind the impact of changing data types on other supporting applications.

So, and still strongly recommending the use of integers, I also recommend that you ask yourself whether you will need to overhaul some existing integrations and/or reporting engines adjusting them to now using the integer types, and what the cost of this effort may be. (If you are doing the migration for a client, they would appreciate the insight.)

Re: Does field type matter performance wise when assigning domains

MarceloMarques — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 18:16:17 GMT

Indeed, the best design practice is to have your domains as integer fields and create an index on those columns.

Re: Does field type matter performance wise when assigning domains

Jens_Dalsgaard — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 20:44:37 GMT

Thanks for the feedback. My intentions were backed.