3 types of Data Formats Explained

 

Data comes in various forms and formats, including numerical data, text, multimedia, research data, or a variety of other sorts of data. The data format is defined as a type of format used for coding data. The data is coded in many ways. It is being coded in order for it to be read, recognized, and used by many applications and systems.

The data format can be referred to in various ways in information technology. It is called a data type, and it is a restriction in the type system that was placed after the data interpretation. It is also known as a file format since it is used to store encoding data in a computer file. It is also known as a Content-Format since the media data is represented in a specific format, such as a video format or an audio format.

When it comes to selecting a data format, there are various factors to consider, such as the properties of the data or the amount of the data, project infrastructure, and use case scenarios. Certain tests are carried out in order to select the best data format, such as determining the speed of writing and reading the data file. There are three basic types of data formats, generally known as GIS data formats. Each of these data types is handled differently. They are used for many purposes.

The three data formats are as follows:

  • File-Based Data Format

This data format might include a single file or several files. These files are then placed in one of the available directories. In most circumstances, it simply utilizes a single file, such as DGN. Then there are the instances, which involve at least three files. The filename extensions of these three files are all different. This includes SHX, SHP, and DBF. All three files are crucial and must be included. Internally, these three files perform separate functions. The filename is used as the data source name. It has several levels, and it is impossible to learn about them simply by looking at the filename. Every shapefile has just one data source. And there is only one layer, which has the same name as the file. Microstation Design Files, Shapefiles, and GeoTIFF pictures are examples of file-based data formats.

  • Directory-Based Data Format

In this data format, whether there is a single file or several files, they are all kept in the parent folder in a certain order. There are various circumstances where an additional folder in the file tree is required in another location so that it can be quickly accessible. It's possible that the directory itself is the data source. Many files are present in the directory, and they are represented at the accessible data levels. The Polygon Data, for example, is represented by the PAL.ADF. Because the folder contains many files with the ADF file extension, which is included in the ESRI ArcInfo Coverages. The line string data or the arc string data are included in the ADF file extension. All of the ADF files act as a layer in the data source contained within the folder. Directory-Based Data Format examples are the US Census TIGER and ESRI ArcInfo Coverages.

  • Database Connections 

In one way, database connections are quite similar to the previously stated file and directory-based data types. They provide geographic coordinate data for MapServer for interpretation. The coordinates must be accessed within the MapServer that is producing the vector datasets. The stream of coordinates delivered by database connections is briefly kept in memory. The MapServer then reads these coordinates in order to create the map. Coordinate Data is the most significant component, and it receives the most attention. However, tabular data and characteristics may be required. The database connection typically includes the following information: Host, which is the server's address, Database Name, Username and Passwords, Geographic Column name, and the table or view name. Database Connections include MySQL, ESRI, PostGIS, and ArcSDE.

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