Spatial definition query

[HenkZwols]

I would like to be able to apply a spatial definition query to a layer.

I.e. Select features from this pointlayer that are within a feature from buildingpolygons.

Defining a query must be as easy as it can be done in the Select By Location dialog.

The result of the query is updated when features that are involved are modified.

[AlfredBaldenweck]

Woohoo!!!

I hope that it'll be available for datasources in different workspaces AND, more importantly, for not just data in enterprise geodatabases.

[TanuHoque]

@AlfredBaldenweck yes, the current plan is to make it workspace agnostic. 

[Bud]

@TanuHoque Will it support file geodatabases? If yes, does that mean spatial SQL functions will now be available in FGDB SQL?

[TanuHoque]

@Bud yes, spatial def query should work with file gdb as well as for shape files 🙂 

Unfortunately, this doesn't mean support for spatial SQL functions will come out of this project. Do you already have a separate idea for that functionality?

[AlfredBaldenweck]

I'm not sure if there's an explicit "Add spatial SQL to File Geodatabases" Idea out, but for starters, here's one for Query Layers in File Geodatabases, which would necessitate that: File geodatabase query layers - Esri Community

[Bud]

@TanuHoque 

This is the only idea I can think of: Get a FGDB FC point's XY coordinates using SQL

Do you think a separate idea would help?

[Bud]

@TanuHoque 

Unfortunately, this doesn't mean support for spatial SQL functions will come out of this project.

Does that mean the spatial definition query functionality uses ArcObjects, not SQL, for all geodatabase types?

[Bud]

Idea: Spatial SQL Functions — File Geodatabase

[RossFindlayCOC]

I saw a prototype of this at Dev Summit. This is great to see, and my team are excited. The question I failed to ask while I was there was, if I publish a service from the def query will the feature selection persist?

[TanuHoque]

hi @RossFindlayCOC 

thanks for attending dev summit. I'm glad you saw the prototype and excited about this.

To answer you question, unfortunately we won't be able to support publishing a layer with spatial clause in its active definition query in the first release. We will continue working on it and hope to support sharing in a future release.

Would you mind share your use case/workflows etc.? that's be very very helpful.