Why is split by attributes different in arcpy than ARCGIS?

[MarcGillespie1]

I am attempting to automate a workflow in python.  If I execute the "split by attributes" tool in AGRGIS, the output is shapefiles (which is what I want).  However, if I "copy as python snippet" from the results window and paste it into a python script...the output is dbf files.  The output is being saved to a gdb.  The output is only a table whether it is saved to a folder or gdb.

The python snippet:

arcpy.SplitByAttributes_analysis(Input_Table="contours", Target_Workspace="C:/temp/data.gdb", Split_Fields="CONTOUR")

Why doesn't arcpy generate shapefiles? 

[DanPatterson_Retired]

If the input is a featureclass and not a table and the target location is a folder not a geodatabase, do you get dbf's or shapefiles?

[MarcGillespie1]

The input is always a shapefile...the output is always a dbf regardless of where it is stored.

[DanPatterson_Retired]

Split Layer by Attributes the original... check the code that I used if you are in a pinch.

As for the ArcMap version, ... could be a bug since I don't see anything in the link or the code description that would suggest otherwise.

[DanPatterson_Retired · Accepted solution]

ITS a BUG!!!

https://support.esri.com/en/bugs/nimbus/QlVHLTAwMDEwMzk1NA==

The Split By Attribute script tool only generates table outputs when running in ArcCatalog and a standalone Python script.

Status  not in current production plan

Alternate Solution

Run the tool in ArcMap.

[MarcGillespie1]

Thanks Dan!  The documentation needs to change to reflect that the output will always and forever be a table.