idea Update Describe to handle connection strings in Python Ideas

Update Describe to handle connection strings

BlakeTerhune — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 14:27:32 GMT

I would like to be able to use a database connection to get workspace properties from Describe. Using Pro 3.1.3, accessing any of the workspace properties everything results in

OSError: "CIMDATA=<CIMStandardDataConnection xsi:type=...rest of connection string" does not exist

If I'm building paths to layers and tables in a script, I sometimes use Describe to get workspace information from one layer to build another. It's also helpful in debugging.

Here's a question discussion for reference.

Re: Update Describe to handle connection strings - Status changed to: Closed

HannesZiegler — Tue, 28 May 2024 16:32:51 GMT

Thank you for submitting your idea to describe connection strings using ArcPy's Describe methods. We appreciate your suggestion and the time you took to provide detailed feedback. ArcPy Describe is designed to work with data sources (direct paths to data) and ArcPy objects, but not with arbitrary strings. Dealing with arbitrary strings would add significant overhead. To get the description of a database connection, please continue using the result of Create Database Connection (Data Management)—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation or an existing .sde file. After careful consideration, we regret to inform you that we will not be implementing this idea at this time.

Thank you again for your contribution and understanding.

Re: Update Describe to handle connection strings

MaximeDemers — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 21:23:44 GMT

@HannesZiegler

I understand why this idea was closed, but I think you might consider to add the ability to use a connection string with the arcpy.management.CreateDatabaseConnection method. Otherwise, I dont understand what could be the utility of the connection string at all. I dont find any documentation about how to use a connection string and many arcpy function I have try juste does not works with connection string.

Re: Update Describe to handle connection strings - Status changed to: Needs Clarification

SSWoodward — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 17:49:03 GMT

@MaximeDemers, thanks for the response. I did a bit of investigation here and wanted to check back in to see if the current software meets your needs.

You requested the ability to use a connection string as input to Describe so that you could retrieve workspace level information. I do see this functionality existing in ArcGIS Pro 3.4. Can you share what version you are currently operating in? I've included a code sample below that shows how I get workspace info from a connection string. Is this the functionality that you are requesting?

platform = <dmbs_pltform> instance = <instance_name> account_authentication = <auth_type> username = <user_name> password = <password> database = <database_name> object_name = <dataset_name> result = arcpy.management.CreateDatabaseConnectionString( platform, instance account_authentication, username, password, database, object_name ) wksp_object = arcpy.Describe(result).workspace

Re: Update Describe to handle connection strings

MaximeDemers — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 14:04:31 GMT

@SSWoodward
Thank you for your reply. I am glad this functionnality was added in the latest ArcGIS Pro release.

Re: Update Describe to handle connection strings - Status changed to: Closed

HannesZiegler — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 18:18:00 GMT

Thank you @MaximeDemers and @SSWoodward, closing this idea again as per conversation above

Re: Update Describe to handle connection strings

JC_LAURENCE — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 16:31:47 GMT

I was hoping to add a comment to this idea, despite it being closed, because all the context is already right here...

I think there's great value in being able to generate a connection string to a workspace (e.g. an enterprise geodatabase) WITHOUT specifying a particular object in that geodatabase. It could then be used later on in the script as a general purpose workspace object, without having to actually point to, or construct a database connection file somewhere on disk.

@SSWoodward your sample script above only works if the "object_name" parameter is specified. If the object_name is omitted, the Describe statement does not recognize the connection string as a valid workspace. So, in one case, Describe recognizes the connection string, but in the other, it does not. So, the Describe command seems to be OK working with a CIMStandardDataConnection xml string , but only when that string points to a specific object.

Re: Update Describe to handle connection strings

SSWoodward — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 17:07:06 GMT

Thanks for the ping @JC_LAURENCE. I totally understand your request.

Database connection strings are strings used to connect to a specific dataset within a database. Whether that be a feature dataset, feature class or table. It seems like your Idea is to allow for a string or memory SDE connection to a whole geodatabase. That's different enough from the idea were in now that it would be best to open a new idea for that functionality.

Re: Update Describe to handle connection strings

BlakeTerhune — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 17:56:39 GMT

@JC_LAURENCE, I share your thoughts on this. Please comment back here if you open a new idea.