what is common GIS method?

I want to know what is the main methods that used in GIS to connect between the location and their information (spatial access methodes) SAM.

I read in some web sites two methods are:

vector raster

is that methods related what I want???

thank you ^_^

there are indeed in general two types of GIS datasources: Vector and Raster.

With vector; the attribute data can be stored in several ways: - Side by side in a spatial database - In a vector file paired with an attribute file (ESRI shape with ESRI dbf) - Connected in an application (f.i. in MapInfo; connecting points to an excel sheet based upon a common attribute)

With raster; all you have is the numeric value of a pixel.

The process of connecting data to geo-spatial coordinates is called Geocoding.

Other common methods use simple coordinates (Lat/Long or GPS).

Vector/Raster refers to the two main types of graphical data that a GIS might use to render a map.