When you create a table or add a column to a table in a database, you define a specific data type for the column. Data types determine the following:
- What values you can store in the column
- What operations you can use on the data in that column
- How the data in that column is stored in the database
ArcGIS works with specific data types. When you access a database table through a Database Connection, query layer, or web service, ArcGIS filters out any unsupported data types. ArcGIS does not display unsupported data types, and you cannot edit unsupported data types through ArcGIS. Similarly, when you use ArcGIS to copy and paste tables containing unsupported data types from one database to another, ArcGIS only pastes columns that use a supported data type.
The first column in the following table lists the ArcGIS data types. The second column lists the Db2 data type that ArcGIS creates. The third column shows what other Db2 data types, if any, map to the ArcGIS data type when you view a table that you created outside ArcGIS (not registered with the geodatabase). The last column provides additional information when needed.
| ArcGIS data type | Db2 data type created | Other Db2 data types that can be viewed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Big integer | bigint | ||
|
Blob |
BLOB | ||
|
Date | timestamp | ||
Date only | date | ||
|
Double | decimal(p,s) | The precision and scale specified in ArcGIS can affect the resultant data type created in the database. See ArcGIS field data types for more information. | |
|
Float |
decimal(p,s) | The precision and scale specified in ArcGIS can affect the resultant data type created in the database. See ArcGIS field data types for more information. | |
|
Geometry |
ST_Geometry | ||
Global ID | char(38) | Global IDs supported in geodatabases only. | |
|
GUID |
char(UUID len) | ||
|
Long integer |
integer | ||
|
Object ID |
integer (32-bit object ID), big int (64-bit object ID) | The ArcGIS Object ID data type is the registered row ID column for the table (or feature class). Only one may exist per table. The field includes the identity property when created in a database. | |
|
Raster | BLOB | The ArcGIS raster data type is supported in geodatabases only. | |
|
Short integer |
smallint | ||
|
Text |
varchar | char | |
Time only | time | ||
Timestamp offset | Not applicable | Not supported |