MODE_SELECTION
In selection mode, features are retrieved from the server only when they are selected. Features are available on the client only while they are selected. To work with selected features:
Call the selectFeatures method.
Listen for the onSelectionComplete event.
Once onSelectionComplete fires, retrieve the selected features using the getSelectedFeatures method.
When editing feature layers in selection mode, you will need to add the map service associated with the feature service to the map as a dynamic map service. After modifying features, listen for the onEditsComplete event and manually refresh the associated dynamic map service layer so the modified features are rendered. If you do not have the map service added as a dynamic map service then the changes will not be visible because once the edits are complete the feature is no longer selected.
MODE_SNAPSHOT
In snapshot mode, the feature layer retrieves all the features from the associated layer resource and displays them as graphics on the client. Definition expressions and time definitions are honored. The features are retrieved once the feature layer is added to the map. After the onUpdateEnd event has fired, you can access the features using the graphics property of the layer or through selection and query operations.