title: open "shape" attribute in mysql database
body: <p>I am doing a road network project. I want to obtain each segment's GPS coordination. I just converted shape file data to mysql database and there is an attribute called <code>SHAPE</code> and it is "geometry" type. I tried to </p>
  
  <pre><code>select SHAPE from table
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>and the output is messy. </p>
  
  <p>Does anyone know how to open this "geometry" typed SHAPE attribute?</p>
  
  <p>I also want to know if shape file is the right one to use because there is another type of data: geodatabase. Which one is better if I want to extract road network data.</p>