Feature Layer with no Feature Service?

[ionarawilson1]

I've noticed in ESRI examples that use feature layers that the URL directory does not have a FeatureServer, just a MapServer. When I published my feature service to use some of the examples, I can see both the MapServer and the FeatureServer in the directory. Why is that? Do I really need to publish the service as feature service or should I just publish it as map service but have the service as a featurelayer in the Flex application?

Thanks

Here is one of ESRI Examples

http://help.arcgis.com/en/webapi/flex/samples/index.html#/InfoWindow_on_MouseOver/01nq0000001q000000...

And the URL directory

http://sampleserver1.arcgisonline.com/ArcGIS/rest/services/Demographics

[DasaPaddock · Accepted solution]

You don't need to publish the feature service if you're not editing the layer.

[ionarawilson1]

So, can I just use a file geodatase then? Then publish it as a map service and call it a feature layer?

[RhettZufelt]

Yes, you can load data from a FGDB, then publish as a mapservice only.

Then, depending on whether you need a feature or dynamic service, you can load as dynamic data (type="dynamic"  http://gis01.wch-rcc.com/ArcGIS/rest/services/Base/Base/MapServer )  or type="feature" http://gis01.wch-rcc.com/ArcGIS/rest/services/Base/Base/MapServer/1  by appending the individual layer number in the url.

However, as Dasa pointed out, you will not be able to "edit" this layer unless it is actually published as a FeatureService.

R_