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Display features on a map using a definition expression or a display filter.

Image of filter by definition expression or display filter

Use case

Definition queries allow you to define a subset of features to work with in a layer by filtering which features are retrieved from the dataset by the layer. This means that a definition query affects not only drawing, but also which features appear in the layer’s attribute table and therefore which features can be selected, labeled, identified, and processed by geoprocessing tools.

Alternatively, display filters limit which features are drawn, but retain all features in queries and when processing. Definition queries and display filters can be used together on a layer, but definition queries limit the features available in the layer, while display filters only limit which features are displayed.

How to use the sample

In this sample you can filter a dataset of tree quality selecting for only those trees which require maintenance or are damaged.

Click the ‘Apply definition expression’ button to limit the features requested from the feature layer to those specified by the SQL query definition expression. This option not only narrows down the results that are drawn, but also removes those features from the layer’s attribute table.

To filter the results being drawn without modifying the attribute table, click the ‘Apply display filter’ button.

Click the ‘Reset’ button to remove the definition expression or display filter on the feature layer, and return all records.

The feature count value shows the current number of features in the current map view extent. When a definition expression is applied to narrow down the list of features being drawn, the count is updated to reflect this change. However if a display filter is applied, the features which are not visible on the map will still be included in the total feature count.

How it works

  1. Create a feature layer from a service feature table (from a URL).
  2. Filter features on your feature layer using a DefinitionExpression to view a subset of features and modify the attribute table.
  3. Filter features on your feature layer using a DisplayFilter to view a subset of features without modifying the attribute table.

Relevant API

  • DefinitionExpression
  • DisplayFilter
  • FeatureLayer
  • ServiceFeatureTable

About the data

The San Francisco 311 incidents layer in this sample displays point features related to crime incidents such as graffiti and tree damage that have been reported by city residents.

Tags

definition expression, display filter, filter, limit data, query, restrict data, SQL, where clause

Sample Code

module-info.java module-info.java FilterByDefinitionExpressionOrDisplayFilterSample.java
/*
* Copyright 2022 Esri.
*
* Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
* you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
* You may obtain a copy of the License at
*
* http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
*
* Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
* distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
* WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
* See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
* limitations under the License.
*/
module com.esri.samples.filter_by_definition_expression_or_display_filter {
// require ArcGIS Maps SDK for Java module
requires com.esri.arcgisruntime;
// handle SLF4J http://www.slf4j.org/codes.html#StaticLoggerBinder
requires org.slf4j.nop;
// require JavaFX modules that the application uses
requires javafx.graphics;
requires javafx.controls;
exports com.esri.samples.filter_by_definition_expression_or_display_filter;
}