AGOL question

[MichaelMiller2]

This may be a dumb question, but can someone explain the difference between a "Map Image Layer" and a "Feature Layer" in AGOL terms?

[JakeSkinner · Accepted solution]

Hi Michael,

A Map Image Layer is the entire map service.  For example, a map service may consist of many layers.  When you add a Map Image Layer to a web map, you are not specifying an index value at the end of the URL, so all layers are added.

A Feature Layer is one layer within a map service.  For example, you specify an index at the end of the URL.

Map Image Layer

http://ags/arcgis/rest/services/Parcels/MapServer

Feature Layer

http://ags/arcgis/rest/services/Parcels/MapServer/2

[MichaelMiller2]

Thanks Jake!

Wasn't there a time when "Map Image Layers" were called dynamic layers??

[JakeSkinner]

Yes, in my opinion, those two can be considered the same.