Input file
SHP
- Full Name: ESRI ArcView Shape Format
- Developer: N/A
Output file
ADF
- Full Name: ArcView ARC/INFO Coverage Data Format
- Developer: ESRI
What is SHP file?
The SHP file extension is a computer file used to store vector-based graphical shapes, such as points, lines, and polygons. It is commonly used in a wide range of GIS (geographic information system) software typically developed by Esri Global. Files with SHP file extension are created in the .SHP format, then stored in the .DBF or .SHX format. The files concerned with SHP typically include the SHX shape index, SHP shape format points, and DBF dBase database. [ ⏩ ] SHP file extension
What is ADF file?
ADF is the .ADF file extension associated with ESRI ArcView ARC/INFO coverage data files. Although not as commonly used as other file types, ArcView ARC/INFO coverage data files are used to store various spatial data for ArcView. ADF files are two-dimensional vector layer files and they contain spatial data representing points, lines, pixels and polygons with the ability to create attribute tables, layouts, and map documents. [ ⏩ ] ADF file extension
How to convert the file from SHP to ADF?
To successfully convert the SHP file to ADF, you should install one of the applications from the list. After installing the software, open the program and select the file you want to convert (file-name.SHP). The next step is to select the target format from the list, in this case ADF (usually converters allow you to convert to several different formats, so check out their features - maybe one of the available formats will suit you more than ADF).
What is a file conversion?
A data conversion is normally an automated process to some extent. The effect of the operation of one program is automatically the input product of another application. If that does not happen we need to help the process a little bit and convert the file on our own, e.g. SHP to ADF. To obtain a matched structure of the data, it is necessary to use an appropriate converter.
Program for converting SHP files to ADF files is a kind of a "binary code translator" compensating for the differences in the code or translating it in such a way so that another application could use it. For us, as users, the visible change will be only another file extension. (After converting the file, it will be the extension ADF, while before this step we had the SHP file). For the programs, the difference is on a much higher level – either the application will be able to open a new ADF file, or not.