Overwrite the input feature with the output feature with ArcPy

Let's say that I have 4 features classe:

• Layer1


• Layer2


• Layer3


• Layer4

I want to erase my LayerX with all the LayerYwhere Y. So for example the erase feature for the Layer3 will be Layer2 and Layer1.

I'm using the function Erase_analysis.

Erase_analysis (in_features, erase_features, out_feature_class)

I don't want to create tousand of new layers, so during my iteration I try to use the same input name and output name.

My code using arcpy:

arcpy.env.overwriteOutput = True

for x in n:
    for y in n[:(x-1)]:
        arcpy.Erase_analysis('layer'+str(x), 'layer'+str(y), 'layer'+str(x))

But, and it was expected, the python consol give me this error

Output Feature Class is same as Input Features, Failed to execute (Erase).

Is there a solution using arcpy ?

Is there a more pythonic way to solve this problem ?

Answer

Copying your input to in_memory, prior to using Erase, should work:

for x in n:

    for y in n[:(x-1)]:
        arcpy.CopyFeatures_management('layer'+ str(x), "in_memory\layer" + str(x))
        arcpy.Erase_analysis("in_memory\layer" + str(x), 'layer'+ str(y), 'layer'+ str(x))