CARTO Writer Feature Type Parameters

To access feature type parameters, click the gear icon on a feature type in the workspace to open the Feature Type Parameter Editor. To always display the editor in Workbench, you can select View > Windows > Parameter Editor.

General

All feature types share similar General parameters, which may include the Feature Type Name, Reader or Writer Name, and Geometry.

In most Writer Feature Type parameter dialogs, you can also control Dynamic Schema Definitions. Some database formats accept a Table Qualifier prefix on the output table feature type.

See Editing Writer Feature Types for more information.

Table Settings: General

ClosedFeature Operation

This parameter specifies how features will be written into the destination table. Supported feature operations are described below. Note that the described behavior can be dependent on the selected options, as well as the underlying table properties.

Insert The writer appends a new row to a table using input feature attributes and/or geometries. The writer creates a new row using input feature attributes and/or geometries.

Not always applicable: if the table does not have a unique key or it has an automatically generated unique key, insertion is always possible.

The database cannot violate its key constraints; therefore, errors can occur on row insertion. For example, if there is a unique key and a user specifies the value with the feature, and the feature already exists, then Workbench logs an error. This error might be in the form of a rejected feature, or the database may stop processing altogether.
Update

The writer updates existing row(s) in a table using input feature attributes and/or geometries.

A selection method must be specified in the Row Selection group.

 The writer rejects the input feature or logs an error if it is unable to continue. Changes only values of the existing row(s) corresponding to the input feature that differ from the input feature.
Delete

The writer deletes an existing row(s) in a table.

A selection method must be specified in the Row Selection group.

 The writer rejects the input feature or logs an error if it is unable to continue. The writer deletes existing row(s) corresponding to the input feature.
fme_db_
operation

The feature operation will be determined by the attribute fme_db_operation on each input feature.

A selection method must be specified in the Row Selection group.

The value of fme_db_operation will be processed according to the steps below.

Note: The processing steps listed below depend on a format's available Feature Operation options.

  • If the value is null, empty, or missing, it will be treated as Insert.
  • The value will next be matched to Insert, Update, Put, and Delete, case-insensitively.
  • If there is no match, the feature will be rejected.
  • If there is a match, the matched feature operation will be performed on the feature.

Note about earlier FME versions: To use fme_db_operation, you must set Feature Operation to this option. In previous versions of FME, you could set fme_db_operation when the destination feature type was set to Insert, Update, or Delete. Doing this now will cause feature rejection.

 The action depends on the operation; however, in general, if nothing is specified, the value is treated as Insert. The value is treated as Insert.
ClosedTable Handling (also called List Handling in some formats)

Controls how the feature type handles destination tables or lists. These options are available:

  • Use Existing: Write to an existing table or list. If the destination table/list does not exist, the translation will fail.
  • Create If Needed: Create destination table/list if it does not exist.
  • Drop and Create: Drop destination table/list if it exists, and then create it. The writer will drop and re-create the table before writing any features to it. Tables will be overwritten when the first input feature is processed. If no features are sent to a feature type, then the corresponding table will not be overwritten.
  • Truncate Existing: (This option is not available for all formats.) If destination table/list does not exist, the translation will fail. Otherwise, delete all rows from existing table or list.

Row Selection

ClosedID Attribute

When Feature Operation is set to Insert, this parameter is ignored.

When Feature Operation is set to Update or Delete, the value of the selected ID Attribute will be matched to the value of the _id row of an existing table. This attribute uniquely identifies the row.