Query layers were first introduced at the 10.0 release primarily to allow ArcMap to integrate data from databases that do not contain the system geodatabase repository tables. Think of query layers as a method for accessing database objects that are not geodatabase-aware, without having to go through the process of registering the objects with ArcSDE or the geodatabase. When first released, the only way to create a query layer was in ArcMap using the Add Query Layer tool, which also required a special connection file (.qcf). This file was required for ArcGIS to connect to databases that did not have a geodatabase component. Native access to both spatial and non-spatial database objects through the ArcGIS client application allowed for the ability to integrate a wider spectrum of data into GIS projects, and provided the ability for modification to include a specific subset of data – similar to a definition query and/or a database view. With the ArcGIS 10.1 release, new functionality was added to make database connections native in ArcGIS, which eliminated the need to create the query connection file (.qcf) when building query layers. Query layers evolved from something that could only be manually built to a behavior that automatically occurs when accessing database objects that are not geodatabase-aware through a database connection file (.sde) in ArcGIS. In other words, query layers are generated dynamically by adding non-geodatabase objects to ArcMap via drag and drop from the Catalog window.What is a query layer? Are query layers read-only? Query layers are read only in ArcMap. At the 10.1 release, ArcGIS Spatial Data Server (SDS) services were introduced, which allowed the publishing of database data in an editable feature service. At 10.2, ArcGIS for Server feature access enabled map services were enhanced to allow data to be published from database connections that didn’t contain the geodatabase system tables. This opened up the ability to edit query layers via an ArcGIS for Server feature service and eliminated the need for the ArcGIS Spatial Data Server (SDS).Ability to edit query layers: Version Editable? 10.0 No 10.1 Yes – via SDS service 10.2 Yes – via feature access enabled map service To edit the data at 10.1, create a map that contains your database data, and publish that data to the ArcGIS Spatial Data Server service. NOTE: To publish editable feature services via SDS, ensure the layer is not contained within a geodatabase. Beginning with ArcGIS 10.2, you should use ArcGIS for Server feature services to publish data from supported database management systems. This allows you to edit query layers via the feature access enabled map services, and takes the place of ArcGIS Spatial Data Server feature services (which have been deprecated). These workflows are intended for databases that do not have the geodatabase system repository tables populated; I like to call these NON-geodatabases. NOTE: When authoring feature services using enterprise or workgroup geodatabases, all data must be registered with the geodatabase. This means that if you have query layers or spatial tables contained within a geodatabase that are not registed with the geodatabase, you will experience errors in analyzing when preparing to publish. Your options are: Register the spatial tables or query layers within the existing geodatabase, creating feature classes Publish the feature service from a NON-geodatabase (a database that is not enabled with the system repository tables) Publish query layers from a map service and overlay these with feature service layers in a web map Database views are not supported for publishing via feature services within a geodatabase because they cannot be registered with the geodatabase. How to create a query layer A query layer can be created manually in ArcMap by building a query against objects that exist within a geodatabase or a database that does not contain the geodatabase system repository tables. You should use this method to create a query layer if you need to define a subset of data. For example, when working with a layer that contains a large number of features, you should use the Add Query Layer tool and include a 'where' clause that restricts the number of features that will be included in the query layer. Build a Query Layer manually using the ‘New Query Layer’ dialog in ArcMap: File > Add Data > Add Query Layer A query layer is created when the layer/table that is not registered with the geodatabase is added to ArcMap via these additional methods: Starting at 10.1 - Drag and drop a database layer into ArcMap from ArcCatalog or the Catalog window in ArcMap –The ArcMap Layer properties will display a Data Type of ‘Query Feature Class’ within the source tab Using the Add Data button within ArcMap to add data from a database Creating a query layer Display behavior of database data in ArcGIS ArcGIS for Desktop reads the layers in a database that contain feature geometry and displays them within ArcCatalog. How these appear in the Catalog tree changed starting at the 10.1 release. When data is viewed in ArcCatalog or the Catalog window in ArcMap, a new icon is displayed. This icon indicates that the object is a non-geodatabase aware/registered table with a spatial component/column. Dragging a database layer with this icon into ArcMap would create a query layer where the feature geometry is discovered and rendered. Double-clicking this object within ArcCatalog will discover and change the icon to a feature class icon for the specific geometry type that is stored in the geometry column. Within ArcMap the layer will display similarly to a feature class, but checking the layer properties source within ArcMap reveals the Data Type of Query Feature Class. Viewing database data in ArcGIS SUMMARY Important things to note about query layers: - Query layers only persist within the map document that they were created in - Query layers do not require a geodatabase - Query layers are read-only in ArcMap when added directly from a database connection - Currently, query layers are only editable when accessed via certain types of services and datasources: 10.1 – Spatial Data Server feature access enabled services can edit query layers This functionality only existed for one product release as it was incorporated into the feature access enabled map service at the 10.2 release 10.2 – Query layers can be edited as part of a feature enabled map service published from databases (not enabled with the geodatabase system repository tables) - .qcf files are query connection files that were generated for the 10.0 release to allow the connection to a non-geodatabase-aware relational database to build a query layer. Starting at the 10.1 release these were no longer needed, but continued to work. Additional References: What's new for geodatabases in ArcGIS 10 > Data management in geodatabasesWhat's new at 10.2 - See ‘Publishing feature services from databases’FAQ:  What has changed in Query Layers between ArcGIS 10.0 and 10.1?Melissa J. - Technical Lead, Geodata Team ... View more

Esri Developer Network (EDN) licenses, Site License Agreements (SLAs), educational site licenses, and other license agreements require that the license files for ArcGIS for Server and ArcSDE enterprise geodatabases be updated upon or prior to expiration for continued use. In previous versions of ArcSDE, the Authorization section of the ArcSDE Post Installation Wizard performed the task of updating the license information for the geodatabase. Because there is no Post Installation Wizard for ArcSDE at version 10.1, this process has changed. Below are the two methods for updating the ArcSDE enterprise geodatabase license for your organization – either before or after it has expired. Update enterprise geodatabase license before it expires To update the geodatabase license before it expires, you can apply a manual approach using the ArcSDE command line tools. The sdesetup –o update_key is a command line tool that can be used to update the license prior to expiration. You may be familiar with this tool if the license file was ever updated manually in previous versions. Keep in mind that many of the ArcSDE command line tools are being migrated into user interface tools and this process may change in future releases. If ArcGIS for Server was previously authorized with the new license, simply reference the keycodes file using the sdesetup –o update_key command. If you have not authorized ArcGIS for Server with the new ECP license number, please use the following steps: 1.    Obtain a valid ECP registration number from the Customer Care Portal. 2.   Use the Authorization portion of the ArcGIS Server Post Installation Wizard. This creates or updates the keycodes file with the new license information. 3.   Use the sdesetup –o update_key command, referencing the updated keycodes file. The keycodes files can be found in the directory similar to the following: C:\Program Files\ESRI\License\sysgen Please see the ArcSDE Administration Commands reference that is included with the installation for specifics on this command. The sdesetup command line tools must be installed from the Customer Care Portal for your specific database type. NOTE: These specific sdesetup commands are not included with the general ArcSDE command line tool install as they are specific to each RDBMS. See KB39857 - FAQ: Where are the ArcSDE administration commands at 10.1? Below is an example of using the keycodes file with the sdesetup –o update_key command. Update enterprise geodatabase license after expiration At version 10.1 a new prompt displays when an administrative user makes a database connection to a geodatabase that has an expired license. This prompt is the Update ArcGIS Server License dialog box. It accepts physical ECP files or the keycodes file from your ArcGIS Server installation. IMPORTANT: Currently you will need to add a file extension onto the end of the keycodes file (.txt or .ecp).There is a bug logged for this: NIM089984 - Update ArcGIS Server License tool for expired ArcSDE geodatabases does not accept keycodes file as valid input to update the geodatabase license. Also, keep in mind if you are not the administrative user you will receive an error message to contact your geodatabase administrator to make the database connection and update the license for the geodatabase: Tips/Facts: It is currently not possible to run the Update ArcGIS Server License tool if the license for the geodatabase is still valid. At version 10.1 the sdesetup –o update_key option works to update the license for the enterprise geodatabase (–o install and –o upgrade options no longer work at this release). At version 10.1 the command line tools still accept the full direct connect syntax for the –i parameter (e.g. sde:sqlserver:instance). The Esri Customer Care Portal provides access to ECPXXXX registration numbers but not the physical authorization files (.ecp). It is recommended to use keycodes files when authorizing ArcSDE geodatabases. Keycodes files can be found in the following directory: C:\Program Files\ESRI\License\sysgen It is always recommended to use the keycodes file when possible. In the case of needing a physical .ecp file, use the Customer Care form: ArcSDE 10 Authorization Form(works for both versions 10.0 and 10.1). Additional References: How To: Update an Educational Site License or EDN license in an enterprise geodatabaseHow To: Update an Educational Site License or EDN license in a workgroup geodatabaseFAQ: Where are the ArcSDE administration commands at 10.1?How to get an authorization file or keycodes file for the new Create Enterprise Geodatabase tool at 10.1Melissa J. - Geodata Support Analyst ... View more

Using the option to 'register with existing data' when creating replicas is within the advanced options and very helpful when using large datasets in replication. When creating a replica using the geoprocessing tools the same options are not available for registering existing data. It would be very helpful in cases where user's have to replicate a large amount of data and have to use alternate methods to duplicate data on parent/child geodatabases prior to creating replicas for this option to be available within the geoprocessing tools. ------------------------------------------------------ It would be very useful to have the 'register with existing data' option available in some of the geoprocessing tools for use in ArcCatalog and scripting. It is documented within a note of the 10.1 help that this option is not available when using geoprocessing tools, so users have to determine different methods in ArcMap to setup their workflow in which they can replicate with this option. The 'Create replica' or  'Create replica from server' tool would be great to have this option. With the Create replica from server this would enable you to replicate through a geodata service specific datasets with the register with existing data option. Working with geodatabase replicas - 10.1 http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help/main/10.1/index.html#//003n000000v1000000 "Register existing data: If you are replicating a very large amount of data, you may want to consider using the Register existing data option. The option allows you to bypass the data copying step of replica creation and simply register a new replica. To use this option successfully, a specific set of steps must be taken before replica creation. Note that this option is not available when using the geoprocessing tools." ... View more

An interview with Desktop geoprocessing and Python analyst, Stephanie W.Bringing you another member of our support staff, we interviewed Stephanie who is a support analyst from the Charlotte, NC office. We talked with Stephanie about everything from her hobbies, a recent trip to the South East User Conference, and Stephanie's career at Esri after studying geography at UNC Chapel Hill. Support Services Blog: Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into GIS?Stephanie: Growing up I lived in Wisconsin and Michigan, but I would consider North Carolina my home. My dad got me into GIS with his career as a weather man. He is always working with maps and his passion for weather really inspired me and in turn got me interested in the environment. As I got older, I realized the environment was a lot more complex when you added humans into the mix. This helped me to develop a curiosity about geography and from there GIS was the ultimate tool to understand this connection. SSB: What brought you to Esri? Stephanie: In my job search, I was always considering the companies I heard of while in school. Esri seemed like a good place to try since it was mostly what I learned GIS on and they are a leader in the GIS industry. I was very fortunate to meet some Esri employees at a career fair at UNC Charlotte and before I knew it I was showing up for my first day at work!SSB: Tell us a little bit about your role as a desktop support analyst and what you like best about being a support analyst. Stephanie: Since this is my first real GIS job, I had a lot to learn. It was a challenge from day one to absorb all the information about the parts of GIS I had never used or even heard of. But this challenge is one of my favorite parts about working in support, I am always learning every single day. In desktop, we work on a wide range of issues. My most favorite is working on geoprocessing incidents that come in as I enjoy figuring out suitable workflows for users or what is causing the tools to fail. Geoprocessing is what really led me to learn Python, which is now my favorite specialty. It really is amazing what things you can do with this simple language to automate your processes and workflows. It's also like a game to me to try and figure out the minor things that need to be changed or done to make the script work perfectly. I know, I know, you probably think I'm crazy to think coding would be any kind of fun!SSB: How do you describe to family members and friends what you do for a living  supporting Esri products? Stephanie: I still don't think I have this worked out yet. Sometimes I try to explain that I work with maps for a living. However, when I tell people that I work in a support center, I often end up getting dragged over to my family member’s computer to fix random issues with their OS (usually having nothing to do with GIS!). It seems like it has always been hard to explain to people what one might do with geography and GIS, but if they would just think more about the connection place has with components of society and the environment, they would realize it is a lot more important that just knowing where things are on a map.SSB: So what have you been up to lately at work? Stephanie: Recently, I attended the South East User Conference in Orlando, Florida. It was like a mini-UC for any of you who have been. It was a ton of fun to meet GIS users face to face and help people directly face to face. It is also great to see all the cool projects that people are using GIS for in their day to day lives. And you’re probably thinking, "Orlando, Stephanie… tell us you went to Disney too!" Well how could I not! I was a girl on a mission and hustled around to three of the parks. I needed to get back to my desk just to have a break. But for those of you who've never been to an Esri conference, go! Even if you can't make it to the big one in San Diego, go. It's a great experience to meet people who share the same passion for GIS and to learn new things about what is happening in the world of GIS.SSB: Tell me a little bit about yourself outside of work. Are there any hobbies that you enjoy?Stephanie: Outside of work, I enjoy painting. I've been oil painting for over a year now at the civic center near my house. I love it because time just slows down and my brain can take a break from all the learning that I did throughout the day. I also just recently adopted a dog. He is a basset hound mix; you know the short legs, long body. He's a cutie. We enjoy taking long walks on the greenway near our house. I also enjoy photography; I do okay, with a good picture every once in a while.Previous “Getting to Know Esri Support” Interviews - Todd S.- Gaurav N. - Shan C. - Grant R. - Sumedha S. - John G. ... View more

An interview with ArcIMS and ArcGIS Server Analyst, Gaurav N. To continue our “Getting to Know Esri Support” series, we’ve interviewed a member of the Redlands Server team. Gaurav has traveled far and is now living his dream working for Esri!.Support Services Blog: Welcome Gaurav! Let’s jump right in with finding out a little about how you got into the GIS industry and what brought you to Esri?Gaurav: While I was studying for my bachelor’s degree, I attended a conference on disaster management and learned how GIS is helpful in relief services. I tried to find out ways to enter the industry, did some research and found that Esri is the market leader in GIS. I contacted Esri India and took an ArcGIS Desktop and ArcIMS course. I started working in the GIS industry and later, I got hired at Esri India where I worked as a Technical Support Analyst. After working for 7 years in the GIS industry, I got the opportunity to come to the USA and work as consultant at the Esri Redlands headquarters. I am now working as a full-time Support Services Analyst in the Server Unit. My dream came true, and I even got to meet Jack Dangermond and talk to him in the Esri cafe one day during lunch!SSB: Tell us a little bit about your daily responsibilities as an analyst.Gaurav: I work as a Tier 2 Analyst in the Server Unit where I am responsible for troubleshooting complex problems reported by customers. My expertise is mostly on troubleshooting performance related issues with ArcIMS and the ArcGIS Server products. Sometimes users call and report their production environment is down and need us to help. We help discover workarounds, if they reach a software limitation, to enable them to continue with their work. Also, we get calls at times for disaster relief where the customer application is down. For example: During wild fires or floods, organizations need to demarcate the affected area on the web for their relief work force. During hurricanes, power companies plan a restoration on the GIS website. During oil spills, petroleum companies want to track where the oil spill has happened. I feel that my work is very important, and I take pride in being able to help in such situations.SSB: What do you like about working as a support analyst in Redlands?Gaurav: Interacting with customers and facing new challenges every day. Not only to help troubleshoot the problem, but also to assist with changing, improving, or optimizing their systems. I like the open and friendly work atmosphere. You have opportunities to engage with others throughout the company, allowing you to exchange ideas, learn from others, and leverage their skills to accomplish a task.SSB: What do you enjoy when you are away from work?Gaurav: I enjoy spending time with my wife and 2.5-year-old son. I am also taking guitar classes and working on my MBA.SSB: Good luck with learning the guitar, and thanks for your time Gaurav!Gaurav: Thank you. It was nice talking with you.Previous "Getting to Know Esri Support" Interviews Todd S. Shan C. Grant R. Sumedha S. John G. ... View more

An interview with Desktop Senior Support Technical Lead, Todd S.  Before the end of the year, we wanted to introduce you to another member of our team - this time from the Charlotte office! We snapped a picture of him and his Charlie Brown tree as he reflects on his past GIS experiences and how he got to where he is today.Support Services Blog: Welcome Todd. Can you tell us what position you have within Support Services?Todd: I am the Senior Support Technical Lead for the Desktop Unit.SSB: What do you do as a Technical lead?Todd: I create content for our new Learning Management System (LMS) within Support Services. I also create and deliver training for new analysts as they come on board and help keep existing analysts up-to-date on the current software. In addition, I am a technical resource for analysts when working with users that need help troubleshooting issues with our software.SSB: How did you get into GIS?Todd: Honestly, it was by complete accident. Here’s the condensed version of how it happened… Against better judgment, I received my undergraduate degree in anthropology. The subject matter was interesting, but I decided that I did not want to spend the rest of my working career begging for money in the form of government grants and making next to nothing in the process. That being said, I decided to start taking masters classes for environmental planning. My advisor at the time suggested I take a GIS class over the summer. I had never heard of GIS but I took the class, and I’ve been hooked ever since.SSB: What brought you to Esri?Todd: Prior to Esri, I worked as a GIS analyst for eight years at a civil engineering firm in upstate New York. Then I ran an office concerned with providing mental health services. I oversaw the maintenance of their statewide GIS, which consisted of 28 campuses and nearly 3000 layers of data. Now I know this may sound like an exciting way of life, but it was too much of a good thing and I was antsy for something different. On top of that, my complete hatred of cold weather, snow, and long gray northeast winters made a job opportunity with Esri in Charlotte a no brainer.SSB: Do you use GIS outside of work and how?Todd: My wife is getting her PhD in geography, and she picks my brain every once in a while. Sometimes I’ll get driving directions online. Other than that, not really.SSB: What was the coolest/strangest/most interesting GIS project you worked on?Todd: The most interesting was a pavement management system I helped build at my old job for a busy local airport. The system itself was actually pretty boring, but the data collection was crazy. It was cool climbing under all the planes on an active tarmac and runway. The jet blast from some of them was pretty powerful. We ended up buying some of the guys in the control tower a couple of pizzas and they let us out on the runway a lot more than they probably should have.SSB: How do you describe to family members and friends what you do for a living?Todd: No one in my family really has a clue what GIS is. Most of the time I’ll tell them that I work for a company that makes mapping and analysis software. 90% of the time this is good enough, but sometimes I’ll need to explain in more detail. My mom, however, still doesn’t get it. Ask her what I do and, after nearly 14 year of explaining, she’ll tell you that I “do something with maps.” Sigh.SSB: What is one of your favorite hobbies or pastimes?Todd: I’m a home brewer. There’s nothing quite like coming downstairs in the morning and seeing ten gallons of pale ale happily fermenting in your laundry room.Previous "Getting to Know Esri Support" Interviews- Shan C. - Grant R. - Sumedha S. - John G. ... View more