vektordatamodellen

The vektordatamodellen, or vector data model, is a fundamental concept in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) used to represent the Earth's surface. It describes geographic features as discrete geometric objects with defined boundaries and attributes. These objects are represented using vector primitives: points, lines, and polygons.

A point is a zero-dimensional object, representing a location without extent, such as a well or a streetlamp. A line, also known as a polyline or an arc, is a one-dimensional object composed of connected line segments, representing linear features like rivers, roads, or pipelines. A polygon is a two-dimensional object, defined by a closed loop of line segments, representing area features such as lakes, forests, or administrative boundaries.

Each vector object can be associated with attributes, which are descriptive information about the feature. For example, a road line might have attributes for its name, type, and speed limit, while a polygon representing a lake could have attributes for its name, depth, and water quality. The collection of these geometric objects and their associated attributes forms the vector data model. This model is highly effective for representing distinct features and is widely used in applications requiring precise spatial analysis and mapping.