A `feature_table` is a normal form for simple features, where all branches are recorded in one table with attributes object_, branch_, type_, parent_. All instances of parent_ are NA except for the holes in multipolygon.
feature_table(x, ...)sf object
ignored
There is wasted information stored this way, but that's because this is intended as a lowest common denominator format.
There are three tables, objects (the feature attributes and ID), branches (the parts), coordinates (the X, Y, Z, M values).