Feature Merge vs join commands

[Anonymous]

why use feature merge command instead of join commands, is there a difference?

[ChicagoLooper · Accepted solution]

Merge is used to combine features. The attributes of the merged features will depend upon the rules you have established prior to the merge. For example you merge two parcels: Parcel ID 1000 and Parcel ID 2000. Once merged the merged parcel can adopt the ID number of Parcel 1000 or adopt a brand new ID number altogether. The number chosen will depend on merge rules you have established..

Join is used to add data to an existing feature. The attribute data table of a feature consists of rows and columns. When you perform a join you are adding additional columns to that table. For example you have a feature named Homes with existing data: PID, owner name, address, city. You also have spreadsheet with data: PID, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, number of stories, garage size, interior square footage and lot size. The spreadsheet data can be added, or joined, to the feature database.

[Anonymous]

ChicagoLooper,

Thank you, that heps