The FME Knowledge Site

Databases

Welcome to our Database home page. FME supports just about every well known database format used within the GIS industry. Here you will find information on licensing, connecting, compatibility and generally working with FME to read, write, update, delete and display your non-spatial and spatial database data.

Check out the links to various webinars which talk about interacting with

  • Micorsoft SQL Server
  • Oracle
  • GE Smallworld
  • Intergraph's G/Technology and Geomedia databases.

Take a look in the Transformer Quick Reference Guide for the transformers specifically designed to work with databases - SQLExecutor, FeatureReader, etc. Also look for articles on using the format attributes for updating and deleting pre-existing data.

databases

  • Using FME to read or write Comma Separated Value (CSV) data
    FME can be used to read or write non-spatial formats such as CSV files and translate them into other non-spatial formats
  • Using FME to translate Microsoft Excel Files
    FME can be used to read & write MS Excel (XLS) files. The article describes some of the known issues with handling XLS data.
  • Comparison of FME readers and writers for SDE and Geodatabase
    FME supports a number of readers/writers for SDE and Geodatabase. Which to use depends on the platform you are running on, and what your needs are.
  • How to setup an Oracle Instant Client for use with FME
    Explanation of how to setup an Oracle instant client to work with FME and shows various connection options.
  • How do I connect to my ArcSDE Geodatabase using Direct Connect?
    Instructions for connecting to an ArcSDE Geodatabase using the Direct Connect method in the ESRI ArcSDE reader or writer
  • Smallworld 3.x (ACP) reader / writer
    FME supports reading or writing Smallworld 3.x data using the older ACP connection. An alternative is to use the Spatial Business Systems reader/writer
  • What ArcGIS license type is required for FME to support Geodatabase formats?
    What ArcGIS license type do I require for FME to support Geodatabase formats?
  • What is the ArcSDEGridSnapper?
    An overview of what the ArcSDEGridSnapper transformer does and how to use it.
  • Improving Performance when working with Esri Geodatabase
    Generally the ArcSDE reader/writer provides better performance than the Geodatabase_SDE reader/writer.
  • Executing SQL commands within a workspace using the SQLExecutor
    The attached workspace demonstrates how to perform a spatial query against a Postgis database as an example of using the SQLExecutor transformer.


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  • Using Oracle Triggers to send requests to FME Server
    This how to article outlines how to set up an Oracle Trigger that will fire a request to FME Server and run a job.
  • Smallworld 3.x (ACP) reader / writer
    FME supports reading or writing Smallworld 3.x data using the older ACP connection. An alternative is to use the Spatial Business Systems reader/writer
  • Pass a List of Tables or Layers to an FME Reader using Python Scripted Parameters
    You have list of feature types (tables, layers, feature classes etc.). The list might be a text file or a database table. This example shows you how to pass that list to a reader in an FME...
  • Executing a Stored Procedure on Microsoft SQL Server with FME
    The SQLExecutor and SQLCreator transformers can be used to execute a stored procedure on SQL Server and return the results to FME. Below the syntax is explained and a sample is provided
  • Working with Curved Multi-part Geodatabase Annotation
    Some of the transformers which are useful when working with multi-part Geodatabase annotation where the annotation is curved or rotated are the TextPropertyExtractor, TextLocationExtractor...
  • Moving feature types between different versions of the Geodatabase writers
    Moving feature types between different versions of the Geodatabase writers can cause parameter settings boxes to be reset. This article has a workaround for this behaviour.
  • Using the XMLUpdater transformer to manipulate Metadata strings
    An example showing how to use the XMLUpdater transformer to remove a thumbnail from a geodatabase metadata string.
  • Improving Performance when working with Esri Geodatabase
    Generally the ArcSDE reader/writer provides better performance than the Geodatabase_SDE reader/writer.
  • Working with Geodatabase Subtypes and Domains
    Here is a brief overview of how to read and write geodatabase subtypes and domains with FME.
  • Writing geodatabase metadata to an xml file
    How do I write metadata from a geodatabase feature class to an xml file?


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    Helpful Resources

    Readers and Writers Manual
    Explore this technical details of the database readers and writers within FME

    Transformer Quick Reference Guide
    Check out the Transformers quick reference guide for the transformers that you can use with the database formats.

    Spatial Database Tutorial
    Work through the Spatial Database Tutorial to start your way down the Database training pathway.