Which GIS data model emphasizes topology and connectivity among features?

• A. Raster data model
• B. Vector data model
• C. Topological data model
• D. Attribute data model

Answer: (C)

Topology and connectivity are built into the topological data model. This approach stores explicit spatial relationships—such as which features share boundaries, which lines connect at nodes, and which polygons lie inside others—so the network of features is consistently maintained and verifiable. This makes operations like network routing, parcel adjacency checks, and error detection (gaps, dangles, or misjoined edges) more reliable because the relationships themselves are part of the data structure.

In contrast, raster data focuses on grid cells and their values, emphasizing resolution and sampling rather than explicit how features connect. A standard vector model represents features as points, lines, or polygons but doesn’t inherently enforce the connections and shared boundaries unless topology rules are applied. The attribute data model concerns non-spatial attributes attached to features, not their spatial relationships.