Trying to improve my understanding of services....

[TimothieBiggs]

Firstly, can anyone explain to me in simple terms what is the difference between a Dynamic Map Service and a Feature Service, and how to decide which one to use?!

Secondly, is a dynamic map service "live" - i.e. if the underlying feature class is updated is it reflected in the service without further processing?

Finally, when I am publishing hosted services via 10 .1 I have these options:
a) Tiled Mapping
b) Feature Access
Does these correspond exactly as follows:
Tiled Mapping = cached map service
Feature Access = feature service

Thanks!

[DerekLaw · Accepted solution]

Hi Timothie,

Firstly, can anyone explain to me in simple terms what is the difference between a Dynamic Map Service and a Feature Service, and how to decide which one to use?!

A dynamic map service is a web service from ArcGIS for Server that retrieves data "on-the-fly" when a request is made to view/access the service. It is used for data display. A feature service is used by ArcGIS for Server to support and enable web editing workflows. Typically, you would publish a dynamic map service to display data and if you wanted web editing functionality for its content, you would also create a feature service which provides this capability.

Secondly, is a dynamic map service "live" - i.e. if the underlying feature class is updated is it reflected in the service without further processing?

Yes, this is correct.

Finally, when I am publishing hosted services via 10 .1 I have these options:
a) Tiled Mapping
b) Feature Access

Does these correspond exactly as follows:
Tiled Mapping = cached map service
Feature Access = feature service

Yes, correct again.

Hope this helps,

[TimothieBiggs]

One follow up question....

When I publish a service via desktop to ArcGIS Server in house, in the Service Editor dialog window, in the Caching section, immediatley under the heading 'Caching' I get these two options:

a) dynamic
b) tiles from a cache

Do dynamic services utilize caching? or if you choose dynamic am I saying I don't wanted my service to be cached?

Thanks!

[MikeMinami]

Dynamic means not cached and you don't want to create tiles.

Thanks,

Mike

[TimothieBiggs]

Thanks Mike!