Geodatabase
The geodatabase is the common data storage and management framework for ArcGIS and can be utilized wherever it is needed—on desktops, in servers (including the Web), or in mobile devices. It supports all the different types of data that can be used by ArcGIS such as
- Attribute tables
- Geographic features
- Satellite and aerial imagery
- Surface modeling data
- Survey measurements
ArcGIS provides a complete suite of conversion tools to easily migrate existing geospatial data into the geodatabase.
 The geodatabase not only defines how data is stored, accessed, and managed, but it can also implement complex business logic such as
- Modeling of spatial relationships between data (e.g., topologies, networks, and
terrains)
- Data validation (e.g., subtypes and domains)
- Long transactions (e.g., versioning)
This enables you to leverage your spatial data to its full potential and maintain a consistent, accurate database. ArcGIS implements the geodatabase either as a collection of files in a file system or as a collection of tables within a relational database management system (RDBMS).
| Geodatabase |
Licensing |
RDBMS Technology |
Differentiating Characteristics |
| Enterprise |
ArcGIS Server Enterprise |
DB2, Informix, Oracle, SQL Server, PostgreSQL |
- Multiuser editing
- Support for versioning
- Supports spatial types |
| Workgroup |
ArcGIS Server Workgroup |
SQL Server Express |
- Support for versioning
- Maximum of 4 GB of data
- 10 concurrent users |
| Desktop |
ArcGIS Desktop
ArcGIS Engine |
SQL Server Express |
- Support for versioning
- Maximum of 4 GB of data
- 4 concurrent connections |
| File |
ArcInfo, ArcEditor, ArcView |
No RDBMS – uses local file structure |
- No versioning support
- 1 TB per table size limit (default) |
| Personal |
ArcInfo, ArcEditor, ArcView |
Microsoft Access (Jet Engine) |
- No versioning support
- Maximum of 2 GB of data |
With its scalable architecture, the geodatabase is the foundation that enables you to assemble intelligent geographic information systems that can be adapted for many different applications.
In summary, the geodatabase offers you the ability to
- Store a rich collection of data types in a centralized location.
- Apply sophisticated rules and relationships to the data.
- Define advanced geometric relational models (e.g., topologies, networks).
- Maintain integrity of spatial data.
- Work within a multiuser access and editing environment.
- Integrate spatial data with other IT databases.
- Easily scale your storage solution.
- Support custom features and behavior.
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