Other data sources

The geodatabase application programming interface (API) was designed around the capabilities of the geodatabase, but it is also used to access data sources other than geodatabases. For example, the geodatabase API can be used to access computer-aided design (CAD) data, shapefiles, and coverages.

The behavior of the geodatabase API can vary between data sources. Some functionality might not be supported, for example, the classes and interfaces used to work with domains and subtypes only work properly with geodatabases. Some data sources have functionality that is not supported by, or is radically different from, the geodatabase API and require developers to use additional types (this is the case when working with CAD data).