Which statement best describes the difference between range domains and coded value domains?

Range domains and coded value domains serve distinct purposes in managing attribute values within a GIS, particularly when it comes to data integrity and validation.

The statement that range domains specify starting and ending values accurately captures the essence of what a range domain represents. It defines a continuous interval of acceptable numerical values, allowing for effective input validation by constraining the attribute values within the specified range. For instance, if a range domain is defined between 1 and 100, any input for that attribute must fall within this interval. This ensures that the data remains within logical limits, such as age, temperature, or any measurable factor requiring strict numerical ranges.

On the other hand, coded value domains provide a list of specific permissible values that an attribute can take, usually in the form of predefined categories or labels. This is particularly useful for attributes that require consistency and clarity, such as land use types (e.g., residential, commercial, agricultural), where only these specific categories are acceptable.

The differentiation between how range domains and coded value domains operate helps maintain data quality and integrity, ensuring that users input data correctly and that the GIS maintains the reliability of its datasets. This is why the proposition regarding starting and ending values being a hallmark of range domains stands out as the most accurate representation