A common format for GPS files, known as the GPX file format, is essentially a text-based structure used to store geographical data.
Understanding GPS File Formats
When people refer to a "GPS file," they are often talking about a file used to exchange data between GPS devices and software. One of the most widely used and standardized formats for this purpose is the GPX (GPS Exchange Format) file.
The GPX Format: A Text File Structure
As the name suggests, a GPX file, also known as a GPS Exchange Format file, is simply a text file with geographic information such as waypoints, tracks, and routes saved in it.
This text-based nature means you can often open a GPX file with a standard text editor, although its content is structured using a markup language (specifically, XML). This structure organizes the geographic data logically.
What's Stored in a GPX File?
GPX files are designed to store key types of geographic data captured or used by GPS devices:
- Waypoints: Specific points of interest, often marked by coordinates (latitude and longitude), and potentially including names, descriptions, or elevation.
- Tracks: A sequence of points representing a path that has been recorded, typically during movement (like a hike or drive). Tracks often include time information for each point.
- Routes: An ordered sequence of points that represent a planned path or course, often used for navigation.
Purpose of GPX Files
You can use GPX files to transfer that information between GPS units and computers. This makes them highly portable and compatible across different GPS devices, mapping software, and online platforms.
