Using Python Dictionaries to Change Feature Class Names

[NataliaGutierrez1]

Hello!

I recently posted a question about python dictionaries and here I am again struggling with them..

I am now trying to use them to change feature class names.

Problem:

I have a list of 77 feature classes and I need to change their names from codes to names using a python dictionary.

For example:

Feature class name: T14_single_points

New name that I need: Alachua

I am not getting any errors when running this code but I am not getting any results either.

import arcpy

# script to change fc name using a dictionary

arcpy.env.workspace = r"D:\APRX_MXDS\USA_Parcels_2019_Project\test.gdb"
arcpy.env.overwriteOutput = True

fc_list = arcpy.ListFeatureClasses("points*") # list of fc that end with points

# dictionary
county_codes = {14 : "Bradford", 15 : "Brevard", 16 : "Broward"}

for fc in fc_list: # loop through the feature classes
    key = "{[1:3]}".format(fc.name) # let the second and third characters in the fc name be the key
    if key in county_codes: 
        fc = county_codes.get(key) # assign the value in the dictionary as the new feature class name‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍

thank you!

[DanPatterson_Retired]

if len(fc_list) == 0:
    print("something is wrong")‍‍
else:
    print("processing stuff")‍‍‍‍"points*") # list of fc that end with points

could be the issue

wild_card

Limits the results returned. If a value is not specified, all values are returned. The wildcard is not case sensitive. Symbol Description Example * Represents zero or more characters. Te* finds Tennessee and Texas.

did you mean

list of fc that begins with points

or did you mean

"*points") # list of fc that end with points

in any event that might account for one instance where nothing is processed.

[NataliaGutierrez1]

Thank you Dan that was part of the problem  

[DanPatterson_Retired]

Natalia Gutierrez  With that part resolved... what now remains?

[JoeBorgione]

Hello Natalia Gutierrez-  to add to Dan Patterson's comments; I don't see you renaming anything, or is that the next stage in your script?

[NataliaGutierrez1]

Hi Joe, I thought I was renaming in the last line of my script. Line # 15. I guess I am really lost with this one...

[JoeBorgione · Accepted solution]

I thought that was what you might be thinking.  Take a step back and study your code for a minute, and ask yourself, what exactly is fc?

It's just a variable and the value of that variable changes as the for loop progresses.  Run the snippet of code:

for fc in fc_list: 
    key = "{[1:3]}".format(fc.name) 
    if key in county_codes:
        print(fc) 
        fc = county_codes.get(key)
        print(fc)
       ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍

And when it's done, take a look at your geodatabase and see if names have changed.

In order to change the name of the actual feature class, you're going to do a little more work. Take a look Rename—Data Management toolbox | Documentation and see where that takes you.

[NataliaGutierrez1]

Thank you Joe. As I told Dan, your answers will guide me for the next time I have to work on something similar. In the end I had to do it manually because it was taking me too long to automate it. 
 

[JoeBorgione]

Sorry it didn't work out for you; automation can sometimes be a bump in the road.  Like anything else though, the more you use it, the better you get at it.

[NataliaGutierrez1]

yes definitely getting a lot better! thanks to you guys in here.

I really appreciate it! I don't know what I would do without your help