Skip to main content

In pre 2019 versions of FME I often used a python scripted parameter to generate a timestamp which I used in the filename of a File Geodatabase.

All I used was:

import datetime
return datetime.datetime.now().strftime("%Y-%m-%d %H-%M-%S")

Now I can't get it to work anymore. The moment I add the parameter the workbench is done:

2019-08-19 11:26:35|   2.1|  0.0|FATAL |GEODATABASE_FILE writer: An unknown exception occurred

I suspect it has something to do with the deprecation of python 2.6? What configuration do I need to set to get this to work?

My Python skills are nonexistent, so it might be something obvious but I can't find what I'm doing wrong.

Are you sure there's not something else going on? I copy-pasted your code into a new workspace and was not able to reproduce the error.

Can you perhaps post a minimal example here that reproduces the issue?


Are you sure there's not something else going on? I copy-pasted your code into a new workspace and was not able to reproduce the error.

Can you perhaps post a minimal example here that reproduces the issue?

Sure!

scripteddatestampsample.fmw

It writes a file geodatabase, but no featureclass. And log gives only the line with fatal in it.


Try setting the Python interpreter to the one from ArcGIS, e.g.:

That works for me.


Try setting the Python interpreter to the one from ArcGIS, e.g.:

That works for me.

If I select "Esri ArcGIS Desktop (Python 2.7)" the log returns:

Starting translation...

A Python interpreter could not be loaded. Please ensure the workspace `Python Compatibility` is set to an available Python version

Program Terminating

Translation FAILED.

I do have ArcMap 10.4.1 and ArcGIS Pro 2.4.1 installed / licensed. I can start both without any issues. I also have Background processing installed, if that matters. I always worked with the default 2.7 interpreter 🙂 Any idea how I need to get the other one running?

The Python stuff always scares me a bit as I don't have a clue what I am doing.


If I select "Esri ArcGIS Desktop (Python 2.7)" the log returns:

Starting translation...

A Python interpreter could not be loaded. Please ensure the workspace `Python Compatibility` is set to an available Python version

Program Terminating

Translation FAILED.

I do have ArcMap 10.4.1 and ArcGIS Pro 2.4.1 installed / licensed. I can start both without any issues. I also have Background processing installed, if that matters. I always worked with the default 2.7 interpreter 🙂 Any idea how I need to get the other one running?

The Python stuff always scares me a bit as I don't have a clue what I am doing.

If you have ArcGIS Pro installed, why not go for Python 3?


If you have ArcGIS Pro installed, why not go for Python 3?

Same issue as the esri interpreter, no matter what I select, it does give the "A Python interpreter could not beloaded. " error.


Same issue as the esri interpreter, no matter what I select, it does give the "A Python interpreter could not beloaded. " error.

Sounds like FME has a hard time locating the correct ArcGIS installation for each scenario. I guess you have to look at the PATH settings and maybe also set PYTHONHOME to point to either interpreter.


Many thanks David, got it to work. (But I still don't understand why, so if anyone understands and want to explain, please!)

For documentation, this is how I got it working:


Reply