What does a feature template define in ArcGIS?

A feature template in ArcGIS is designed to streamline the process of creating new features by providing predefined settings that ensure consistency and ease of use. It primarily defines the symbology for a new feature, allowing users to apply specific visual representations consistently across similar features. This includes attributes like colors, symbols, and any visual characteristics tied to the feature type.

Additionally, feature templates can include default values for attributes, which ensures that whenever a new feature is created, it automatically has certain initial values set. This functionality helps maintain data integrity and provides a standardized starting point.

While defining the storage location of a layer is important in GIS, it is not a function of the feature template itself. The template focuses on the creation and visualization of new features rather than the organization of data layers.

In summary, a feature template incorporates both the symbology for new features and can contain default attribute values, which is why the correct choice encompasses both aspects.