delete empty FC in fgdb

If I understand correctly, you want to delete featureclasses from a gdb that are empty after writing? I think the only way to do this is using Python, Delete (Data Management). If you want to run this on FME server you need licensed Esri software on your FME server to be able to do this.

Steps are roughly:

• Use a FeatureWriter to write the gdb.
• Get insight in which featureclasses do not contain features. I would do this using a FeatureReader reading only one feature from each featureclass and the schema feature and compare those using a FeatureMerger.
• Use a PythonCaller to remove each featureclass which does not have any features. You need something like

import arcpy
arcpy.env.workspace = r"C:/data/base.gdb"
arcpy.management.Delete("testFeatureClass", '')

import arcpy
arcpy.env.workspace = r"C:/data/base.gdb"
arcpy.management.Delete("testFeatureClass", '')

The featurewriter already reports a list of featureclasses that it has written to, you can use python to compare the two and then delete the ones that exist but were not written to, i.e. empty

import fme
import fmeobjects
import arcpy
 
def processFeature(feature):
    #set environment
    arcpy.env.workspace = feature.getAttribute('_dataset')
    #get list of featureclasses in dataset
    featureclasses = arcpy.ListFeatureClasses()
    #get list of written feature types from fme list attribute
    written_fc =set(feature.getAttribute('_feature_types{}.name'))
    #find featureclasses that exist but were not written to, i.e. are empty
    to_delete =[x for x in featureclasses if x not in written_fc]
    #delete
    for fc in to_delete:
        arcpy.Delete_management(fc)
    #add list attribute of deleted featureclasses
    feature.setAttribute("deleted_fc{}.name", to_delete)

I have arc desktop licensed on the fme machine. and am trying to set up python on it. maybe i just don't understand what to do. i get an error when i run the pythoncaller. arcpy module not found.

I am running 2022 fme desktop and that only allows 3.6+ and up. am i mistaken? arcgis desktop has 2.6 installed. do i need to install a separate python?

Also see the article Notes on FME and Esri Versions and Compatibility for working combinations of FME and Esri.

From Using FME Server with Esri ArcGIS Software:

“Can I use ArcGIS Pro with FME Server?”

It is technically possible for FME Server to use ArcGIS Pro. However, the use of ArcGIS Desktop or ArcGIS Pro in a server context violates Esri's license terms. Please see Esri’s article on this topic for more information or contact your Esri account manager for more clarification of Esri’s licensing terms.