Append, Insert or load Data into geodatabase table field

Question

I am attempting to calculate point stationing (footage) along a pipeline at a set interval via python script, thing is I'm just now learning to code in Python, I come from a VBA programming background. In regards to this exercise I will be creating an empty file geodatabase, within this database I will be creating an empty feature class table. This feature class table will contain an empty field/column named, "Calculated Footage". My desired result is to populate the content of my feature clas table via Python script such as the ones below.

I have been successful in obtaining the desired results within a python list as shown below but when attempting to do so in a file geodatabase I seem to be at a lost. Simply put how do I go about applying the logic below to the "Calculated Footage" field in my feature class table? In other words how do I populate the "Calculated Footage" field with the result of my while loop? I'm simply trying to append, load or insert data into the field in question

B_Measure = 0; E_Measure = 5280
Curr_Measure = 0; Interval = 1000
My_List=[]

C_Measure = 0

# Body of the Main program
while abs(E_Measure-C_Measure)>Interval:
    if My_List==[]:
        My_List.append(C_Measure)
        print C_Measure
    else:
        C_Measure=C_Measure + Interval
        My_List.append(C_Measure)
        print C_Measure[/CODE]

I've done this exercise in Excel as well, using the following VBA Code.

Sub Calculate_Footage()
'Declaring variables
Dim X, Y, Beginning_Point, Ending_Point, Interval, Current_Point As Integer

'Assigning initial value to variables
 X = 2
 Y = 1
 Beginning_Point = 0
 Ending_Point = 5280
 Interval = 1000
 Current_Point = 0

'Assign Field/Column Name
Cells(1, 1).Value = "Calculated Footage"

'This While Loop will populate my "Calculated Footage" field
Do While (Ending_Point - Current_Point) > Interval
Current_Point = Current_Point + Interval
Cells(X, Y).Value = Current_Point

'Move to the next row but same column
X = X + 1
Loop

End Sub

Current Python Code # Import system modules import arcpy from arcpy import env

# Set workspace in which to create geodatabase
env.workspace = "C:/data"

# Set local variables
out_folder_path = "C:/data" 
out_name = "fGDB.gdb"

# Execute CreateFileGDB
arcpy.CreateFileGDB_management(out_folder_path, out_name)

# Set environment settings for Table in geodatabase
in_database = out_folder_path+"/"+out_name
table_Name = "Custom_Stationing"
arcpy.CreateFeatureclass_management(in_database, table_Name)

# Set workspace for Add Field
in_Table = in_database+"/"+table_Name

Field_Names=["Route_Id","Route_Code","Series","Measure","Calculated_Field"]
for n in Field_Names:
    arcpy.AddField_management(in_Table, n)

I would like to apply the following code sample to insert rows located hereINSert Cursor

Answer 1

You're better off using the Calculate Field tool in ArcGIS to achieve the results you are looking for since you can better specify linkages between each row in your table and the resulting value of "Calculated Footage".

The method (list/looping) you are using above is not the best programming practice for this job. Some information on field calculation fundamentals are available here. Likewise, here are some examples. Your best bet, if possible, will be to break down the calculation into a format which can be carried out across each row, for example: column4 + column 6 = "Calculated Footage".

Where possible, lists/looping should be avoided when populating tables as there is a lot of room for errors to creep in (e.g. missing/deleted FIDs). The Calculate Field tool, which can be scripted using Python is more reliable.