Guide to the File Geodatabase API

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on the File Geodatabase API! Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting out, this blog will cover everything from download locations, use cases, and limitations.

The File Geodatabase API is a collection of C++ libraries (.dll) for 32-bit and 64-bit Windows, Linux, and MacOS platforms that allows developers to directly access and manipulate data stored in a file geodatabase outside of ArcObjects, the foundational library of software components for ArcGIS.

Key Features and Operations

With the geodatabase API, developers can create independent applications to view or modify data stored in a file geodatabase. Here are some of the high-level operations you can perform:

• Create new file geodatabases.
• Read file geodatabase schema.
• Create schemas for simple features.
• Read, edit, and delete data in the file geodatabase.
• Perform attribute and spatial queries.

Release Information

Each release of the File Geodatabase API can be downloaded from the Esri/FileGeodatabaseAPI GitHub public repository.

Each release note comes with a wealth of information to help you make the most of the new features and fixes:

• Instructions
• Software requirements
• What’s new in the release
• Fixed issues
• Limitations

We don’t have a fixed schedule for releases, so we will streamline release announcements by posting updates on the Esri Community File Geodatabase API page along with a link to the public repository.

Additional Resources

For an in-depth review and demo of the File Geodatabase API check out the technical workshop and presentation slides from the 2018 Esri Developer summit.

If you have a question or want to discuss approaches with other developers, you can start a conversation on the page for File Geodatabase API questions.

Think your idea could contribute to the next API release? Share it on the ArcGIS Ideas page, where product team members curate and review suggestions from the community.

To find out more resources about geodatabases, check out the Geodatabase Resources Hub.

We hope this guide helps you get the most out of the File Geodatabase API!