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From python how can I build a list of all feature classes in a geodatabase, including inside feature datasets? The standard example only lists FC's at the top level of the gdb:

import arcgisscripting, os
gp = arcgisscripting.create(9.3)

gp.workspace = 'd:\scratch.gdb'
fcs = gp.ListFeatureClasses()

for fc in fcs:
    print fc

Please indicate which Arcgis version your answer applies to (I'm looking for 9.3 but we might as well collect all versions in one place).

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3 Answers

up vote 13 down vote

This routine for arcgis10 returns all fcs (standalone OR within a feature dataset) inside a gdb. Just set your arcpy.env.workspace then do a for loop

def listFcsInGDB():
    ''' set your arcpy.env.workspace to a gdb before calling '''
    for fds in arcpy.ListDatasets('','feature') + ['']:
        for fc in arcpy.ListFeatureClasses('','',fds):
            yield os.path.join(arcpy.env.workspace, fds, fc)
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Nice and clean! –  Chad Cooper Feb 8 '11 at 19:10
 
thanks gotchula! That's the first time I've encountered the yield statement, had to do a bit of reading to figure it out. You forgot to note your sample is for arcgis v10. –  matt wilkie♦ Feb 8 '11 at 22:28
 
sorry, yeah this is for 10.x. and yes, the yield is great, makes for clean code. –  gotchula Feb 8 '11 at 23:09
up vote 5 down vote accepted

I ended up using gotchula's answer reworked for arcgis9.3:

def listFcsInGDB(gdb):
    ''' list all Feature Classes in a geodatabase, including inside Feature Datasets '''
    gp.workspace = gdb
    print 'Processing ', gp.workspace

    fcs = []
    for fds in gp.ListDatasets('','feature') + ['']:
        for fc in gp.ListFeatureClasses('','',fds):
            #yield os.path.join(fds, fc)
            fcs.append(os.path.join(fds, fc))
    return fcs

gdb = sys.argv [1]
fcs = listFcsInGDB(gdb)
for fc in fcs:
    print fc

Results:

d:\> python list-all-fc.py r:\v5\YT_Canvec.gdb
Processing  r:\v5\YT_Canvec.gdb
Buildings_and_structures\BS_2530009_0
Buildings_and_structures\BS_2380009_2
Buildings_and_structures\Tower
Buildings_and_structures\Underground_reservoir
...

EDIT: this is now in a module I call arcplus. Place with your other code or PYTHONPATH and then: 

import arcplus
fcs = arcplus.listAllFeatureClasses('d:\default.gdb')
for fc in fcs:
    print "magic happens with: ", fc
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I changed the function to use a normal list instead of a yield generator object because usually when I grab a list of feature classes in a geodatabase I want to use them more than once (generators are used once and then discarded). –  matt wilkie♦ Feb 16 '11 at 22:30
up vote 2 down vote

The ListDatasets method is what I think you are looking for. This FGDB has a FD in it called "Wells" and it has 3 FCs in it. For 9.3.1:

C:\WINDOWS\system32>python
Python 2.5.1 (r251:54863, Apr 18 2007, 08:51:08) [MSC v.1310 32 bit (Intel)] on
win32
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>> import arcgisscripting
>>> gp=arcgisscripting.create(9.3)
>>> d='c:\data\Third_Party_Wells_PRD.gdb'
>>> gp.workspace = d
>>>
>>> fds=gp.ListDatasets('','Feature')
>>> for fd in fds:
...     print fd
...
Wells
>>> for fd in fds:
...     gp.workspace=d + '/' + fd
...     fcs=gp.ListFeatureClasses()
...     for fc in fcs:
...             print fc
...
Third_Party_Wells_BHL
Third_Party_Wells_LAT
Third_Party_Wells_SHL
>>>
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