Which file type is commonly used for storing feature classes in a file geodatabase?

The commonly used file type for storing feature classes in a file geodatabase is the .gdb file extension. A file geodatabase is a collection of various types of geographic datasets, and it is stored as a single folder in the file system. The .gdb format allows for the efficient storage of spatial data, including feature classes, raster datasets, and other data types that support advanced data management capabilities.

Within a file geodatabase, feature classes are organized as tables, which can then be utilized in professional GIS applications like ArcGIS Pro. This format supports various data types, relationships, and spatial indexing, ensuring robust data management and performance.

Other file extensions such as .shp are associated with shapefiles, which are an older format used for storing vector data but do not offer the same level of data management features as file geodatabases. Likewise, .csv (Comma-Separated Values) files are typically utilized for tabular data but do not support spatial data natively. The .xml format is generally used for configuration or metadata purposes and is not intended for direct data storage in geodatabases. Thus, the .gdb extension is specifically designed to effectively handle feature classes in a file geodatabase context.