What is an 'attribute table' used for in GIS?

An attribute table is crucial in a Geographic Information System (GIS) as it contains data that describes the characteristics of spatial features. Each row in the table typically represents a specific spatial feature, such as a point, line, or polygon, corresponding to geographic entities like roads, rivers, or property boundaries. The columns of the attribute table hold the data attributes associated with those features, such as names, classifications, sizes, or other relevant properties.

This structured approach allows users to analyze, query, and manipulate spatial and non-spatial data effectively. For instance, if a GIS user wants to filter all features based on a certain characteristic—like finding all parks within a specific area—they can easily do so using the attribute data.

In contrast, a table used to manage software settings would not relate to spatial features directly, and a table listing all geographical locations would lack the specific descriptive data that an attribute table provides. Additionally, a table for storing prior versions of maps pertains more to version control in GIS and does not align with the primary function of an attribute table. Thus, choice B is the most accurate representation of the purpose of an attribute table in GIS.