Simple Features
Geographic entities stored using the vector data model are called features. These features can be stored as points, lines, or polygons. Features of the same type, such as features representing roads, are stored in a geographic database as a feature class. [1] Simple Features are an OpenGIS standard which specifies digital storage of geographical data with both spatial and non-spatial attributes.Simple Features are based on 2D geometry with linear interpolation between vertices. In general, a 2D geometry is simple if it contains no self-intersection.[2]
The physical representation on a computer monitor of the stored features is called a feature table. In a feature table each feature occupies a row and the attributes of each feature are stored in a column much like a spread sheet.
Simple Features differ from topologic features in that the features hold no relationships with other features. Simple features are useful because they can be rendered on the screen quickly, they are easy to store, and they are easy to create. A common analogy for describing simple features is that they are like a plate of cooked spaghetti. Where the strands of spaghetti are the points, lines, and polygons. All of the objects overlap and cross each other but there is no relationship between them.[3] However, the user should only use simple features when the user does not care about relationships between objects.
Sources
- ↑ Longley et al. (2001) 'Geographic Information Systems And Science'
- ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_Features
- ↑ Longley et al. (2001) 'Geographic Information Systems And Science'
| Authors | Carson, Dantley |
|---|---|
| Editors | |
| BoK Topics | DM4 |
| 311 Weeks | 4 |
| Tags | feature, vector, representation |
