To read file data into a 2D vector, it's essential to clarify the type of vector being used, such as a standard template library (STL) vector. If not using STL, a custom 2D memory allocation is necessary. The content of the file—whether it contains characters, integers, doubles, or strings—along with its formatting and size, significantly influences the approach. For example, typical desktop PCs may face limitations when attempting to read more than 2GB of integers into memory simultaneously, although the file can still be stored on disk.