# Difference between OSM and GIS

## Meet the tags

The most striking difference is the way attributes are stored in OSM: not in a separate table, but through an open [tag system](https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Tags), consisting of two free format text fields ('key' and a 'value') associated with each element. The OSM tag *key* identifies *"a topic, category, or type of feature*" whose value is specified in the "*value"* attribute, e.g. [amenity=drinking\_water](https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Tag:amenity%3Ddrinking_water) to describe a point on the map, that marks a fountain with potable water.

What is fascinating is that the tagging schemes are open and determined by vague community consensus (read more on the OSM community and how they communicate [here](/open-data-openstreetmap/details-openstreetmap/details-interacting-with-the-community.md)) which can yield confusing results (read up on the [power=station fiasco](https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Tag:power%3Dstation), or [highway=cycleway](https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Tag:highway%3Dcycleway))

## Comparing GIS shapefiles and OSM data

|                                                                 |    GIS   |  OSM |
| --------------------------------------------------------------- | :------: | :--: |
| Free data updates                                               |     ❌    |   ✅  |
| Globally unique object IDs, attribute definitions               |     ❌    |   ✅  |
| Version control through community                               |     ❌    |   ✅  |
| Combining geometries in one format (points, lines, or polygons) |     ❌    |   ✅  |
| XML data format                                                 |     ❌    |   ✅  |
| Owner controls data                                             |     ✅    |   ❌  |
| Bottom-up (crowd controlled)                                    |     ❌    |   ✅  |
| Data license                                                    | Variable | ODbL |

## GIS data for OSM or vice versa

### You have geospatial data.

👉 [Here's more info on what type of data makes sense to add to OSM and how.](/open-data-openstreetmap/technical-specifications/technical-tracing-over-or-importing-data.md)

### Interested in crowdsourced OSM data?

👉 Read on [here to learn about tools to extract the data](/open-data-openstreetmap/technical-specifications/technical-tools-for-osm.md) you need from the global OpenStreetMap database.


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://mapbox.gitbook.io/open-data-openstreetmap/technical-specifications/technical-difference-between-osm-and-gis.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.