How to identity feature without creating separate output?

Question

I am using ArcGIS Pro 3.2.

I hoping to use the Identity tool to cookie cutter a buffer(layer B) into a polygon (layer A) without creating a separate output feature class. Currently I am using the identity tool like:

arcpy.analysis.Identity(
in_features=layer A,
identity_features=layer B,
out_feature_class=layer C)

deleting what's currently in layer A then appending layer C to layer A.

This works in a single work flow but I am trying to automate the process. During automation I will not be able to specify which data gets deleted and possibly delete all data in layer A if a selection is not made correctly.

Answer 1

The Identity (Analysis) tool:

Computes a geometric intersection of the input features and identity features. The input features or portions thereof that overlap identity features will get the attributes of those identity features.

Its Usage is:

arcpy.analysis.Identity(in_features, identity_features, out_feature_class, {join_attributes}, {cluster_tolerance}, {relationship})

where the out_feature_class parameter is mandatory and represents:

The feature class that will be created and to which the results will be written.

Since it always creates an output feature class you will not be able to:

use the Identity tool to cookie cutter a buffer(layer B) into a polygon (layer A) without creating a separate output feature class.

I am not clear on exactly what you are trying to do but ArcPy geometries can be used to intersect geometries in memory. However, at some point I think you will need to output your result as a feature in a feature class so you may find it easiest to just accept that Identity creates output features and use a simpler workflow with that as a constraint.