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An overview of using ST_Geometry with SQL

An overview of using ST_Geometry with SQL
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ArcSDE geodatabase storage for Oracle, DB2, Informix, and PostgreSQL uses a SQL spatial data type, which provides full geodatabase support and access as well as SQL access to feature class geometry. This enables you to write SQL applications using your DBMS that can access and use feature operations and queries. Each DBMS is supported as follows:


DBMS Description
Oracle The ST_Geometry data type is one of the options for storing feature geometry in an ArcSDE geodatabase. It is included with ArcSDE for Oracle and is one of the feature storage options you have for Oracle. It is a high performance storage type provided as part of ArcSDE for Oracle that includes ISO- and OGC-compliant SQL access to geodatabase features.
IBM DB2 The DB2 Spatial Extender provided by IBM as part of the DB2 product is the only option used to store feature geometry in geodatabases in DB2. It was codeveloped by ESRI and IBM and is a high performance storage type that provides ISO- and OGC-compliant SQL access to geodatabase features.

NOTE: There are some differences in SQL syntax between DB2 for z/OS and DB2 for Windows/Linux/UNIX. Consult the DB2 documentation for proper syntax for the DBMS version you are using.
IBM Informix The Informix Spatial DataBlade provided by IBM as part of the Informix product is the only option used to store feature geometry in geodatabases in Informix. It was codeveloped by ESRI and IBM and is a high performance storage type that provides ISO- and OGC-compliant SQL access to geodatabase features.
PostgreSQL The ST_Geometry data type is the default for storing feature geometry in an ArcSDE geodatabase in PostgreSQL. As with the other DBMS implementations, the PostgreSQL implementation provides ISO- and OGC-compliant SQL access to geodatabase features.

This book of the help system primarily addresses using SQL with the ST_Geometry type as implemented in Oracle and PostgreSQL. Though some information is provided on using SQL with DB2 and Informix, you should consult the IBM DB2 and Informix documentation for more complete information on using SQL with the ST_Geometry type in DB2 or Informix. For using SQL with other spatial types, such as Oracle Spatial and PostGIS, consult the documentation for those products.

The following topics also discuss using the ST_Geometry spatial types with SQL:

The DB2 Spatial Extender geometry type

The Informix Spatial DataBlade geometry type

ST_Geometry storage in Oracle

ST_Geometry storage in PostgreSQL