The modified geometry must be a different geometry instance from the feature's original geometry (e.g., a copy or new instance)

Error Message

A coding practice has been identified that could lead to geometric network inconsistencies, and the following error may be displayed as a result of guards against this coding practice that have been installed in ArcGIS 9.3.

"The modified geometry must be a different geometry instance from the feature's original geometry (e.g., a copy or new instance)"

The following is a summary of the coding practice: Getting the geometry of a feature through the IFeature.Shape property, updating the reference to the feature, and using that same reference to set the geometry to the feature, may cause geometric network inconsistencies.

Cause

The error is due to a fix that was made to guard against a coding practice, which could lead to geometric network inconsistencies.

Solution or Workaround

Note:
The correct coding practice of using IFeature.ShapeCopy is being used, while the line that may cause the error to appear has been commented out.

Code:
  pEditor.StartOperation
  
  Set pEdLayers = pEditor
  Set pFeatures = pEditor.EditSelection
  
  pFeatures.Reset
  Set pFeature = pFeatures.Next
  
  Dim pGeom As IGeometry
  'This line is incorrect
  'Set pGeom = pFeature.Shape 
  
  'This is the correct way to access the geometry for modification
  Set pGeom = pFeature.ShapeCopy
  
  Dim pGeomColl As IGeometryCollection
  Set pGeomColl = pGeom
  
  Dim pPointColl As IPointCollection
  Set pPointColl = pGeomColl
  
  Dim pPoint1 As IPoint
  Dim pPoint2 As IPoint
  
  Set pPoint1 = Create_PointGeometry(-5959.167882, 5667307.034188)
  Set pPoint2 = Create_PointGeometry(-5983.323227, 5667300.739636)
  
  pPointColl.AddPoint pPoint1
  pPointColl.AddPoint pPoint2

  Set pFeature.Shape = pGeom
  pFeature.Store

  pEditor.StopOperation ("Update geometry of edge feature")