[Qgis-user] Question on default file formats

[Árni Geirsson]

Hello
I find it interesting that the ancient shapefile format is (or at least
appears to be) the default file format for QGIS when SpatiaLite seems to be
a much more capable format. I have been using mostly shapefiles and when
using for example the tools under the vector menu, intermediate results are
saved as shapefiles, leading to a big pile of files after a short session
of vector processing. Now, I have discovered that by using the processing
tools the intermediates can be temporary files (still shapefiles, just
hidden away in a temporary folder). After saving a temporary file as a
SpatiaLite file, I can enter field names longer than 10 characters but I
can not add a text field that accommodates more than 255 characters.
So my question is: Why is the shapefile format the default?

I have also noticed that with 2.10 I can save in Geopackage format. Does
that mean that support for this format has improved?

Any insights are highly appreciated.

Arni Geirsson
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