Using ArcCatalog

ArcInfo and ArcEditor
Maintaining
attributes
Features usually have descriptive
information stored in
attributes. Attributes can either
reside in the feature attribute
table or in separate INFO
tables; INFO tables can be
associated with the feature
attribute table using a relate or
a relationship class. Both
relates and relationship classes
use a common attribute to
establish a temporary connection
between corresponding
records in two tables.
The properties dialog box for an
INFO table and a coverage
feature class is the same. When
you open the properties dialog
box for a table or feature class,
you will see an FID column,
which contains the unique
identifier for each record or
feature. A feature class also has
a Shape column and may have
several pseudo items, such as
the angle of rotation for marker
symbols. Pseudo items are
maintained by ArcInfo; their
names are preceded by a dollar
sign ($), for example, $ANGLE.
If a feature class has an
attribute table, you will also see
several attributes.
In the properties dialog box for
a table or feature class, you can
add, update, and delete u
Adding a new attribute
1. Right-click the coverage
feature class or INFO table to
which you want to add an
attribute and click Properties.
2. Click the Items tab.
3. Under Item Name, click the
attribute after which the new
attribute should be placed.
The attribute should not be a
redefined attribute or a
pseudo item. If an attribute is
redefined, Yes appears in the
Redefined column. For
pseudo items, N/A appears
under Column to the left of
the attribute’s name.
4. Click Add.
5. Type the new attribute’s
name in the Add Item dialog
box.
6. Click next to Type, click the
dropdown arrow, then click
the appropriate data type for
the values the attribute will
contain. u
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204 USING ARCCATALOG