The SHP file extension is used to refer to shapes files – 3D object image files that are generated and used on numerous 3D design and rendering applications. SHP files can be accessed and edited with the appropriate software. The SHP file extension is also used to refer to ESRI ArcView geographic data shape files.
Data set used by ESRI ArcView, a geographic analysis application; stores a collection of geographic features, such as streets, points of interest, and zip code boundaries; can be used to store point, line, or area features. Each object within a SHP file contains an individual geographic feature and its attributes. NOTE: ArcView is part of the ArcGIS software suite.