After finishing this chapter, we now have a good understanding of the difference between a simple feature and a complex feature. Knowing the difference and, more importantly, knowing that GeoServer defaults to delivering simple features will enable us to make informed decisions about how we deliver our data through WFS.

Complex features will allow us to really maximize the way in which we utilize GeoServer as a vector feature delivery platform. The use of standard simple feature delivery combined with the ability to deliver simple features as members of a complex feature will really open the door to a world of content delivery. This flexibility means that we can optimize storage by not having to repeat copies of data to participate in different output strategies. We saw how complex features can be used to provide output from our WFS service that conforms to a community-generated schema, such as EU INSPIRE Directive schemas. Using application schemas means that we are able to provide...