File Types

Question 1

Shapefile (.shp, .dbf, & .shx)

Answer 1

Most common GIS format. Stores geometric location and attribute information. Requires at least 3 files (.shp, .shx, .dbf). Optional files include .prj (projection), .xml (metadata).

Question 2

KML / KMZ (.kml, .kmz)

Answer 2

Stores vector data. Keyhole Markup Language, used by Google Earth and other software. XML-based format for geographic annotation and visualization.

Question 3

GeoTIFF (.tif, .tiff)

Answer 3

Raster data. A TIFF file with embedded geographic information. Industry-standard for GIS and remote sensing.
Combines raster image data with geographic metadata.

Question 4

JPEG2000

Answer 4

Raster data. A compressed image format that supports geospatial metadata.

Question 5

GeoJSON

Answer 5

Popular for web-based mapping. Stores vector data in easily-readable format.

Question 6

Geodatabase (.gdb)

Answer 6

ESRI’s proprietary format. Stores both vector and raster data

Question 7

GPX (.gpx)

Answer 7

GPS eXchange Format. XML schema for GPS data. Stores waypoints, tracks, and routes

Question 8

DEM

Answer 8

Digital Elevation Model. Used by USGS for elevation information.

Question 9

Geodatabase v. Shapefile

Answer 9

1. Improved data storage, organization, and management.
2. File geodatabases are optimized for performance and storage, significantly outperforming shapefiles for operations involving attributes.
3. Larger storage capacity: up to 1 TB per dataset by default, expandable to 256 TB with configuration keywords. Shapefiles are limited to about 2 GB.
4. Advanced data types and functionality: support topology, domains, subtypes, relationship classes, attachments, and network datasets, plus date and time in same field.
5. Multi-user editing capabilities: allow multiple users to view/read the database simultaneously while it’s being edited.
6. Improved attribute handling: support field names longer than 10 characters, unlike shapefiles. Can store NULL values in fields, whereas shapefiles use 0 for NULL.
7. Raster support: geodatabases can store raster files, which shapefiles cannot.
8. Data compression: allow compression of vector data to reduce storage requirements.
9. Better spatial indexing: file geodatabases use up to three grid sizes for spatial indexing, which can be modified for optimal performance.
10. Easier data migration: data can be easily migrated between file geodatabases and personal geodatabases.
11. Cross-platform compatibility: file geodatabases function the same way on Windows and UNIX operating systems.

Shapefiles are still widely used due to their simplicity, non-proprietary nature, and compatibility with various GIS software[3][5].