Topologies model objects and phenomena of the real world. Use area topologies to model land and other flat surfaces. Use logical topology wherever real world objects are connected to each other in networks.
The utility applications, such as Water, Gas, Wastewater, or Electric CE use logical topologies that comply with the enterprise industry utility model.
Use area topologies to represent parcels in cadastral applications. Parcels are defined by their borders and incorporate data for the entire parcel. The border in this model corresponds to a set of lines; the area corresponds to a polygon. With an area topology, you build areas (polygons) from a set of lines.
To digitize lines that build a closed polygon, specify a snap radius in the application Map Options. See Setting Map Options.
Use logical topologies to connect features of any feature classes. The features do not have to be spatially connected or have geometry. You can use a logical topology to connect points with points, lines with lines, lines to points, or attribute features with attribute features.
The utility models are based on logical topologies that connect points and lines. For example, a logical topology can represent a wastewater network or electrical transmission lines.
A network topology is a type of logical topology that is based on an arc-node model and uses geometry.
For more information about topologies, see the “Infrastructure Administrator Guide.”