Feature data

In geographic information systems, a feature is an object that can have a geographic location and other properties. Common types of geometries include points, arcs, and polygons. Carriageways and cadastres 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 is the traditional term of choice, but use of this term 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. These types may be grouped together under a category called "Roads".

See also

• Feature class