Overwriting shapefile or feature class using ArcObjects?

Question

I can copy a shapefile but I want to be able to overwrite the copied shapefile to prevent multiple copies being created each time I run the program. I would also like for the saving and renaming of the copied shapefile to happen behind the scenes i.e. the user doesnt see a gxDialog box.

How do I overwrite the copied file, either as a shapefile or feature class?

Answer 1

Before making the copy of the feature class, you can open the containing workspace and check the existance of the feature class (IWorkspace2.NameExists), and if exists then delete it (IDataset.Delete).

Example:

Dim pWorkspace2 as IWorkspace2
set pWorkspace2 = yourWorkspace

' Checks the existance of the feature class
If pWorkspace2.NameExists(yourDestFeatureClass) Then

   Dim pFeatureWorkspace as IFeatureWorkspace
   set pFeatureWorkspace = yourWorkspace

   ' Open the feature class and cast it to the IDataset interface
   Dim pDataset as IDataset
   set pDataset = pFeatureWorkspace.OpenFeatureClass(yourDestFeatureClass)

   ' Removes the feature class
   pDataset.Delete

End if

' Your code to make the copy...

Answer 2

This code was much easier to use to copy a file geodatabase feature class. Can't find the source but it was obtained through a google search.

Sub CopyFC(pOldWorkspace As IWorkspace, FCname As String, copyWorkSpace As IWorkspace)
    Dim gp As Object
    Set gp = CreateObject("esriGeoprocessing.GPDispatch")
    Dim pEnumDataset As IEnumDataset
    Dim pDataset As IDataset
    Dim pFeatClass As IFeatureClass
    Dim pEnumFeatClass As IEnumFeatureClass
    Set pEnumDataset = pOldWorkspace.Datasets(esriDTFeatureClass)
    Set pDataset = pEnumDataset.Next
    While Not pDataset Is Nothing
    If pDataset.BrowseName = FCname Then
        'get FC from pdataset
        Dim inFC As IFeatureClass
        Set inFC = pDataset

        gp.FeatureClassToFeatureClass_conversion inFC, copyWorkSpace, pDataset.BrowseName
    End If
    Set pDataset = pEnumDataset.Next
 Wend
End Sub