About feature sources

A feature source contains feature data. The term 'feature source' refers to a feature data resource in the site server repository. The feature source is installed in the repository using the resource service (MgResourceService).

What constitutes a feature source varies depending on the nature of the actual data source. For example, some data sources are text files, some are binary files, and some are relational databases. If the data source is a file, the file itself is stored in the repository. If the data source is a relational database, a connection specification is stored in the repository. Some relational databases support partitioning into multiple data sources. Each partition requires a separate connection specification.

Storing and identifying feature sources

In addition to features sources, the site server repository contains many other objects, which are collectively referred to as resources and identified by resource identifiers (MgResourceIdentifier). The resource identifier specifies the location of a resource in the repository by using a URL.

The feature source URL is of the form Library:://.../<featureSourceName>.FeatureSource. The ellipsis (...) represents an optional folder structure contained within the root Library folder. An example identifier is "Library://FeatureService/PointsMDB.FeatureSource". The FeatureSource extension is specific to the feature source resource. All of the methods in the MgFeatureService API that do actual work require an MgResourceIdentifier object as an argument.

Before installing a feature source in the repository

The MgFeatureService API provides a TestConnection method for testing the connection parameter values for a feature source prior to installation in the repository. For file-based feature sources the connection value could be a file name, a folder name, or a symbolic name which is used by the provider to query the operating system for the file location. For relational database feature sources, possible connection values include host name, service name, service instance name, user name, password, and datastore name.

The connection string used to connect to a feature source is specific to the feature source. Examples follow for various providers.

The MgFeatureService API provides a GetConnectionPropertyValues method for listing the names of the feature source partitions within a relational database. You can then construct a connection string for each partition and test it using MgFeatureService::TestConnection(providerName, connectionString) .

After the installation of the feature source in the repository, connection is done by a different MgFeatureService::TestConnection(resource) method that takes the feature source's resource identifier as an argument.

Installing the feature source in the repository

Install a feature source in the repository by:

Specifying the location of the feature source in the repository in a resource identifier.
Uploading a feature source XML value containing the property values used to connect to and configure the feature source. The structure of a feature source XML value conforms to the FeatureSource XML schema. The element values vary according to the feature source type. Examples for each provider follow.
Uploading an XML value containing values governing the security of the feature source. See the ResourceDocumentHeader and ResourceSecurity schema topics for a general discussion about the XML element definitions. See the contents of an example header file at the end of this topic.
Uploading the file or files which constitute the feature source if the feature source is file-based. Upload the feature source property XML file and document header XML file using the MgResourceService::SetResource Method. Upload a feature source file using the MgResourceService::SetResourceData Method.

Examples for various providers

Autodesk.Oracle.2.0 Provider

The feature source is a relational database, which supports multiple partitions, referred to as datastores. Each datastore can be a feature source. You use Sysadmin.exe to create datastores and add usernames and passwords. The tool and documentation for doing these and other tasks is contained in the installation. For a typical installation, the path is C:\Program Files\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\GIS\FDO\2.0\Oracle.

Example Connection String

Username=smith;Password=test;Service=TuxService;DataStore=TUX

All parameters are required.

The DataStore property value identifies the feature source partition within the database. This value can be retrieved from the database using the MgFeatureService::GetConnectionPropertyValues Method.

The Service property value identifies an entry in the tnsnames.ora file located in the Oracle instance or Oracle client installation on the local host.

Example (xml)

Feature Source XML File

The filename is TuxService.FeatureSource.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<FeatureSource version="1.0.0" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance " xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="FeatureSource-1.0.0.xsd">
  <Provider>Autodesk.Oracle.2.0</Provider>
  <ConnectionProperties>
    <ConnectionProperty>
      <Name>DataStore</Name>
      <Value>TUX</Value>
    </ConnectionProperty>
    <ConnectionProperty>
      <Name>Username</Name>
      <Value>smith</Value>
    </ConnectionProperty>
    <ConnectionProperty>
      <Name>Password</Name>
      <Value>test</Value>
    </ConnectionProperty>
    <ConnectionProperty>
      <Name>Service</Name>
      <Value>TuxService</Value>
    </ConnectionProperty>
  </ConnectionProperties>
  <Configuration/>
  <SpatialContext/>
  <LongTransaction/>
</FeatureSource>

Autodesk.ArcSDE.1.0 Provider

The feature source is a relational database. Access to it is indirect. The provider talks to an ArcSDE client, which talks to the ArcSDE server, which talks to the feature source.

Example Connection String

Username=smith;Password=test;Server=otwhost1;Instance=sde_inst1;Datastore=Default Datastore

All parameters are required.

The Server value is a hostname whose IP address can be resolved using a network domain name server.

The instance value must appear in the services file on the local host. The path is C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\services. An example entry is "sde_inst1 5151/tcp #ArcSDE Server listening port".

The Datastore property value identifies the feature source partition within the database. This value can be retrieved from the database using the MgFeatureService::GetConnectionPropertyValues Method . A value of "Default Datastore" indicates that only one partition exists.

Example (xml)

Feature Source XML File

The filename is sde_inst1.FeatureSource.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<FeatureSource version="1.0.0" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance " xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="FeatureSource-1.0.0.xsd">
  <Provider>Autodesk.ArcSDE.1.0</Provider>
  <ConnectionProperties>
    <ConnectionProperty>
      <Name>Datastore</Name>
      <Value>Default Datastore</Value>
    </ConnectionProperty>
    <ConnectionProperty>
      <Name>Username</Name>
      <Value>smith</Value>
    </ConnectionProperty>
    <ConnectionProperty>
      <Name>Password</Name>
      <Value>test</Value>
    </ConnectionProperty>
    <ConnectionProperty>
      <Name>Server</Name>
      <Value>otwhost1</Value>
    </ConnectionProperty>
    <ConnectionProperty>
      <Name>Instance</Name>
      <Value>sde_inst1</Value>
    </ConnectionProperty>
  </ConnectionProperties>
  <Configuration/>
  <SpatialContext/>
<LongTransaction/>
</FeatureSource>

Autodesk.Sdf.3.0 Provider

The feature source is a file. As part of installing the feature source in the repository, the .sdf file is loaded into the repository.

Example Connection String

File=C:/SDFFeatureResources/testSDF.sdf;ReadOnly=FALSE

The File parameter is mandatory, and the ReadOnly parameter defaults to FALSE.

Example (xml)

Feature Source XML File

The ConnectionProperty element whose Name is File has a Value element that is a symbolic reference to the location of the .sdf file in the repository.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<FeatureSource version="1.0.0" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance " xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="FeatureSource-1.0.0.xsd">
  <Provider>Autodesk.Sdf.3.0</Provider>
  <ConnectionProperties>
    <ConnectionProperty>
      <Name>File</Name>
      <Value>%MG_DATA_FILE_PATH%</Value>
    </ConnectionProperty>
    <ConnectionProperty>
      <Name>ReadOnly</Name>
      <Value>FALSE</Value>
    </ConnectionProperty>
  </ConnectionProperties>
  <SpatialContext/>
  <LongTransaction/>
</FeatureSource>

Autodesk.Shp.1.0 Provider

The feature source is a set of up to 4 related files, collectively referred to as shapefiles. They consist of a .shp file containing the shape geometry, the .shx file containing the shape row index, the .dbf file containing shape attributes in dBASE format, and the .prj file containing the coordinate system.

It is possible to connect to a .shp file by itself. The SHP provider treats each .shp and associated .dbf file as a feature class with a single geometry property and optionally, with data attribute properties.

The four files can be accessed by applications other than the provider. In addition the provider may create two files that are used by the provider and not by other applications: an .idx file containing a spatial index and an .xml configuration file containing a mapping of the SHP data in the .shp file and the DBF data in the .dbf file to feature classes and properties in the FDO data model.

The connection string used as an argument to the TestConnection() method references a folder in the file system. As part of installing the feature source in the repository, the shapefiles (.shp, .shx, .dbf, and .prj files) are loaded into the repository. The value of the DefaultFileLocation element as specified in the feature source XML file is a symbolic reference to the location of the shapefiles in the repository.

Example Connection String

DefaultFileLocation=C:/SHPFeatureResources;TemporaryFileLocation=C:/SHPFeatureResources

Example (xml)

Feature Source XML File

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<FeatureSource version="1.0.0" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance " xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="FeatureSource-1.0.0.xsd">
  <Provider>Autodesk.Shp.1.0</Provider>
  <ConnectionProperties>
    <ConnectionProperty>
      <Name>DefaultFileLocation</Name>
      <Value>%MG_DATA_FILE_PATH%</Value>
    </ConnectionProperty>
    <ConnectionProperty>
      <Name>TemporaryFileLocation</Name>
    </ConnectionProperty>
  </ConnectionProperties>
  <SpatialContext/>
  <LongTransaction/>
</FeatureSource>

Autodesk.RFP.1.0 Provider

Example Connection String

DefaultRasterFileLocation=C:/RasterFeatureResources

Example (xml)

Feature Source XML File

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<FeatureSource version="1.0.0" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance " xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="FeatureSource-1.0.0.xsd">
  <Provider>Autodesk.RFP.1.0</Provider>
  <ConnectionProperties>
    <ConnectionProperty>
      <Name>DefaultRasterFileLocation</Name>
      <Value>%MG_DATA_FILE_PATH%</Value>
    </ConnectionProperty>
  </ConnectionProperties>
  <SpatialContext/>
  <LongTransaction/>
</FeatureSource>

Autodesk.ODBC.1.0 Provider

Typically you use this provider is to access text-based feature source files.

The essential first step is to use a Windows OS administrative tool to define a data source name. This action associates a symbolic name with a file path. You then use the symbolic name in the connection string and XML feature source file.

On an XP computer, the path to the ODBC Data Source Administrator is Start > Settings > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Data Sources (ODBC). You can create a User DSN (Data Source Name), a System DSN or File DSN in the ODBC Data Source Administrator dialog box.

The sequence of clicks or data entry to create a User or System DSN for a Microsoft Access .mdb file is System DSN or User DSN/Add > Create New Data Source/Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb) > Finish > ODBC Microsoft Access Setup/<type name> > Select > Select Database/<select folder> > <select file> > OK > ODBC Microsoft Access Setup/OK. The name that you enter is the DSN name and is used in the connection string and the XML feature source file.

The sequence of clicks or data entry to create a User or System DSN for a dBase .dbf file is System DNS or User DSN/Add > Create New Data Source/Microsoft dBase Driver (*.dbf) > Finish > ODBC dBase Setup/<type name> > Save > Create New Data Source/Next > Finish > Select Directory> Select Database/<select folder> > <select file> > OK > ODBC dBase Setup/OK. If "Select Directory" is unavailable, clear "Use Current Directory". The name that you enter is the DSN name and is used in the connection string and XML feature source file.

The sequence of clicks or data entry to create a File DSN for a Microsoft Access .mdb file is File DSN/Add > Create New Data Source/Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb) > Next> Browse > Save As/<pick folder> > <type filename> Finish > ODBC Microsoft Access Setup/Select > Select Database/<select folder> > <select file> > OK > ODBC Microsoft Access Setup/OK. The filename that you enter will be given an extension of .dsn.

Example Connection String

DataSourceName=Country

Example (xml)

Feature Source XML File

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<FeatureSource version="1.0.0" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance " xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="FeatureSource-1.0.0.xsd">
  <Provider>Autodesk.ODBC.1.0</Provider>
  <ConnectionProperties>
    <ConnectionProperty>
      <Name>DataSourceName</Name>
      <Value>Country</Value>
    </ConnectionProperty>
    <ConnectionProperty>
      <Name>UserId</Name>
    </ConnectionProperty>
    <ConnectionProperty>
      <Name>Password</Name>
    </ConnectionProperty>
  </ConnectionProperties>
  <Configuration/>
  <SpatialContext/>
  <LongTransaction/>
</FeatureSource>

Example (xml)

ResourceDocumentHeader XML File

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<ResourceDocumentHeader xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance " xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="ResourceDocumentHeader-1.0.0.xsd">
  <Security>
    <Inherited>true</Inherited>
  </Security>
</ResourceDocumentHeader>

Examples

The code samples here how to add feature sources to the repository. You connect to a feature source in the repository. For example code showing how to connect to a feature source, see MgFeatureService::TestConnection Method (MgResourceIdentifier*).

Example (PHP)

The first example adds a resource to the repository for a connection to an FDO Provider for Oracle. Since the connection is to a relational database and not a file, you need only call MgResourceService::SetResource passing in the FeatureSource XML containing the property values for the connection to the provider.

<?php
// creating the resource in the repository for a
// connection to an FDO Provider for Oracle
// first arg to $resourceService->SetResource()
$featSrcResIdArg = "Library://FeatureService/testOracle.FeatureSource";
$featSrcResId = new MgResourceIdentifier($featSrcResIdArg);

// second arg to $resourceService->SetResource()
$featSrcFileByteContent = new MgByteSource($pathToFeatSrcFile);
$featSrcFileReaderContent = $featSrcFileByteContent->GetReader();

// third arg to $resourceService->SetResource()
$headerPathByteContent = new MgByteSource($headerPath);
$headerPathReaderContent = $headerPathByteContent->GetReader();

// add the resource to the repository
$resourceService->SetResource($featSrcResId, $featSrcFileReaderContent, $headerPathReaderContent);
?>

Example (PHP)
The second example adds a resource to the repository for a connection to an FDO Provider for SDF. Since the connection is to a file, you must call MgResourceService::SetResource passing in the FeatureSource XML containing the property values for the connection to the SDF file, and you must call MgResourceService::SetResourceData passing in the contents of the SDF file.

<?php
// creating the resource in the repository for a
// connection to an FDO Provider for SDF
// first arg to $resourceService->SetResource()
$featSrcResIdArg = "Library://FeatureService/testSDF.FeatureSource";
$featSrcResId = new MgResourceIdentifier($featSrcResIdArg);

// second arg to $resourceService->SetResource()
$featSrcFileByteContent = new MgByteSource($pathToFeatSrcFile);
$featSrcFileReaderContent = $featSrcFileByteContent->GetReader();

// third arg to $resourceService->SetResource()
$headerPathByteContent = new MgByteSource($headerPath);
$headerPathReaderContent = $headerPathByteContent->GetReader();

// add the resource to the repository
$resourceService->SetResource($featSrcResId, $featSrcFileReaderContent, $headerPathReaderContent);

// add the contents of the SDF file to the repository
$fileByteContent = new MgByteSource($pathToDataFile);
$fileReader = $fileByteContent->GetReader();
$resourceService->SetResourceData($featSrcResId, $fileName, "File", $fileReader);
?>

Example (C#)

using OSGeo.MapGuide;
using OSGeo.MapGuide.Schema.FeatureSource;
// The MgResourceService example code shows the creation of an instance.
private MgResourceService resourceService;

public void ConnectToSdfFeatureClassFile(MgResourceIdentifier resourceId,
    Boolean readOnly, String filename, String SDFProviderName)
{
    FileInfo info = new FileInfo(fileName);

    // Check if the specified file exists
    if (!info.Exists)
    {
        throw new FileNotFoundException(
            string.Format("The specified file {1} doesn't exist.", info.FullName));
    }

    // an xml string containing values for the two SDF connection parameters: File and ReadOnly
    String featureSourceDefinition;

    // Build the feature source object model
    FeatureSourceType fsType = new FeatureSourceType();

    fsType.Provider = SDFProviderName; // FDO provider name, case sensitive

    NameValuePairType p1 = new NameValuePairType();
    p1.Name = "ReadOnly";
    p1.Value = readOnly.ToString(); // non case sensitive
    NameValuePairType p2 = new NameValuePairType();
    p2.Name = "File";
    p2.Value = info.FullName; // Either double backslash or single backslash is OK for the file path

    fsType.Parameter = new NameValuePairType[] { p2, p1 };

    // Serialize the feature source object model to xml string
    using (StringWriter writer = new StringWriter())
    {
        XmlSerializer xs = new XmlSerializer(fsType.GetType());
        xs.Serialize(writer, fsType);
        featureSourceDefinition =  writer.ToString();
    }

    // Add the resource to repository
    byte[] bytes = Utilities.StringToBytes(featureSourceDefinition);
    MgByteSource source = new MgByteSource(bytes, bytes.Length);
    resourceService.SetResource(resourceId, source.GetReader(), null);
}