In
geographic information system
A geographic information system (GIS) is a type of database containing Geographic data and information, geographic data (that is, descriptions of phenomena for which location is relevant), combined with Geographic information system software, sof ...
s, a feature is an object that can have a geographic location and other properties.
Common types of geometries include
point
Point or points may refer to:
Places
* Point, Lewis, a peninsula in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland
* Point, Texas, a city in Rains County, Texas, United States
* Point, the NE tip and a ferry terminal of Lismore, Inner Hebrides, Scotland
* Point ...
s,
arcs, and
polygon
In geometry, a polygon () is a plane figure that is described by a finite number of straight line segments connected to form a closed ''polygonal chain'' (or ''polygonal circuit''). The bounded plane region, the bounding circuit, or the two toge ...
s. Carriageways and
cadastre
A cadastre or cadaster is a comprehensive recording of the real estate or real property's metes and bounds, metes-and-bounds of a country.Jo Henssen, ''Basic Principles of the Main Cadastral Systems in the World,'/ref>
Often it is represented gra ...
s are examples of feature data. Features can be
labeled when displayed on a map.
Feature types
The definition of features that share membership of a common theme is a ''feature type'', though there are a number of terms for this characteristic, including ''category'', ''feature class'', ''group'', ''layer'', ''level'', ''object'', and ''theme''.
''Layer'' served as the traditional term of choice, but use of this word has declined as data has become more object-oriented and less concerned with cartographic layering.
Data modelers can use ''feature types'' to create a hierarchical structure. For example, a dataset may consist of types called highways, streets and lanes. The system may group these particular types together under a category called "Roads".
See also
*
Feature class
Feature may refer to:
Computing
* Feature (CAD), could be a hole, pocket, or notch
* Feature (computer vision), could be an edge, corner or blob
* Feature (software design) is an intentional distinguishing characteristic of a software item ...
References
Cartography
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