Is Geocoding Nondeterministic?

[gavins53]

Hi all,

I was wondering if geocoding in AGP is nondeterministic; as in, it can return slightly different results each time when used on the same dataset. I am working with a dataset of over a million addresses, and each time I geocode, the number of matches differs by a little bit (usually 5-20). I am working on a complicated workflow with several steps before and after geocoding, so the geocoding results being different each time can complicate workflow improvements and any analyses done on the results. I am on ArcGIS Pro, specifically using the corresponding ArcPy Python library. Would greatly appreciate any help, thank you!

[gavins53]

Thought it might be worth mentioning that I am using a locally built address locator, NOT the Esri/ArcGIS Geocoding Service.

[MichaelVolz]

Is the total number of records being processed each time the same?

I ask because I found that geoprocesses in AGP are not consistent when run on a network share, but produce consistent results when run locally.

[gavins53]

Hi Michael,

Yes, it is the same dataset being run each time. I spent an hour last week doing five geocodes on the exact same dataset and they gave different results. However, the files (both the address locator and dataset being geocoded) are on a network drive - are you saying I should try copying them to my local machine to get consistent results? I'll give it a shot real quick. Thanks!

[MichaelVolz]

I'm not sure I was having this issue with geocoding, but I know it occurred with many other geoprocesses.  In order to be consistent I moved all my GIS processing to a local drive on a server and the only operation I perform on the network drive is truncate and append which provides consistent results (Unlike other geoprocessing operations).