The shapefile format is a geospatial vector data format for geographic information system (GIS) software. It is developed and regulated by ESRI as a mostly open specification for data interoperability among ESRI and other GIS software products. The shapefile format can spatially describe vector features: points, lines, and polygons, representing, for example, water wells, rivers, and lakes. Each item usually has attributes that describes it.
Shapefile is the most versatile spatial data format used by almost all GIS professionals and organizations. This video describes the process for publishing shapefile with basic symbol using GeoServer application
