Data Structure, Vector

Abstract

Vector data structures in GIS are the ways in which objects such as points, lines, and polygons are organized in a computer. This chapter reviews the key developments that resulted in the topological data structure of modern vector GIS, presents the basic components of the state‐of‐the‐art vector data structure using an example, illustrates the versatility of a topological vector data structure to support spatial search and spatial analysis, and discusses the constraints of existing vector data structures and challenges for developing more powerful vector data structures.