A simplicial complex is a mathematical structure used in topology, which is a branch of mathematics that studies the properties of space. It consists of a set of points, called vertices, along with line segments (edges), triangles (faces), and higher-dimensional shapes that connect these points. Each of these shapes is called a simplex, and they can be combined in various ways to form more complex structures. Simplicial complexes are useful for analyzing the shape and connectivity of data in various fields, including computer science, data analysis, and robotics. They help in understanding the relationships between different data points and can be used to visualize complex datasets in a more manageable form.