What is an attribute table in GIS?

• A. A table of coordinates for graphical features
• B. A table that contains data about geographic features
• C. A database of GIS software licenses
• D. An index of map layers

Answer: (B)

An attribute table in GIS serves as a crucial element that holds data about geographic features. Each geographic feature, such as a point, line, or polygon, corresponds to a row in the table, while the columns contain attributes or properties related to those features. These attributes can include information like names, population statistics, land use types, and other relevant characteristics that describe and provide context for the geographic data.

This organization enables users to perform various analyses, such as querying and filtering the data based on specific attributes. For instance, a user could retrieve all features that meet certain criteria, like all parks with an area greater than a specified size by interacting directly with the attribute table.

In contrast, a table of coordinates for graphical features is more technical and refers specifically to the spatial location of features rather than their descriptive data. A database of GIS software licenses does not pertain to spatial data management. An index of map layers provides a way to navigate through different layers of a map but does not offer the detailed data about the attributes of those layers. Thus, focusing on the relationship between geographic features and their descriptive data, the attribute table clearly provides essential information in GIS applications.