What is the primary difference between a map service and a feature service?

The primary difference between a map service and a feature service lies in their respective functionalities related to data interaction and visualization. A map service is designed to provide rendered maps that display pre-defined layers and their symbols, allowing users to visualize geographic information without interacting directly with the underlying data attributes. This service focuses on delivering a visual representation of the data, where users can pan, zoom, and visualize but cannot edit or query the underlying data directly.

On the other hand, a feature service goes beyond simple visualization. It allows users to access the underlying geographic features and their attributes directly. This means that users can not only visualize the features on a map but also interact with them, such as querying attributes, editing feature data, and performing analysis directly on the data set. Therefore, the correct answer emphasizes that a map service is primarily for rendering maps, whereas a feature service provides dynamic access to the features and their associated data, enhancing user interactivity and data manipulation capabilities.