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Lecture 2

This document provides an overview of the key functions and components of a geographic information system (GIS). It discusses the main functions of GIS as data input, storage and retrieval, manipulation and analysis, and output and display. It also outlines the typical components of a GIS as hardware, software, data, people, and procedures. Finally, it describes the two basic types of spatial data models used in GIS - vector and raster data models.

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Judy
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14 views6 pages

Lecture 2

This document provides an overview of the key functions and components of a geographic information system (GIS). It discusses the main functions of GIS as data input, storage and retrieval, manipulation and analysis, and output and display. It also outlines the typical components of a GIS as hardware, software, data, people, and procedures. Finally, it describes the two basic types of spatial data models used in GIS - vector and raster data models.

Uploaded by

Judy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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10/30/2022

FEB 503
Lecture 2

Functions of a GIS
• Data Input
• Data Storage and retrieval
• Data manipulation and analysis
• Data output and display

Data Input
• allows the user to capture, collect, and transform location
and attribute data into digital form.
• data are usually derived from a combination of hard copy
maps, aerial photographs, remotely sensed images, reports,
survey documents, etc.

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Data Storage and Retrieval


• usually involves the use of a database management system
(DBMS) for maintaining spatial and attribute data.
• DBMS organizes the data in a form which permits it to be quickly
retrieved by the user for analysis, and permits rapid and
accurate updates to be made to the data.
• Location data is usually encoded/maintained in a variety of ways
• proprietary file formats e.g. ESRI Shapefile
• Well Known Text (WKT) and Well Known Binary (WKB)
• Geography Markup Language (GML)

Data Manipulation and Analysis


• allows the user to define and execute spatial and attribute
procedures to generate derived location information.
• this is the heart of a GIS, and usually distinguishes it from
other database information systems and computer-aided
drafting (CAD) systems
• CAC - Computer Assisted Cartography: create maps from
graphical objects combined with descriptive attributes (size,
color) – no analytical capability
• CAD - Computer Aided Design: create maps from graphical
objects – no attributes

Data Output
• allows the user to generate graphic displays, normally maps,
and tabular reports representing derived information

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Components of a GIS
• Hardware
• Software
• Data
• People
• Procedures

Hardware
• Mainly the computer system
• Desktop computers
• Centralized servers
• Networked configurations
• Cloud
• Digitizers and Scanners
• Printers and Plotters

Software
• provides the functions and tools needed to input, store,
analyze, and output/display geographic information.
• Examples of Software
• ArcGIS
• QGIS (Quantum GIS)
• GeoServer
• MapServer

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Data
• Geographic data and related tabular data can be collected
in-house, compiled to custom specifications and
requirements, or occasionally purchased from a commercial
data provider.
• A GIS can integrate spatial data with other existing data
resources, often stored in a DBMS.
• The integration of spatial data and tabular data stored in a
DBMS is a key functionality afforded by GIS

Data
• GIS technology utilizes two basic types of data. These are:
• Location data: describes the absolute and relative location of
geographic features. AKA spatial, geospatial data. Spatial data
can be in vector or raster models
• Attribute data: describes characteristics of the spatial
features, which can be quantitative and/or qualitative.
• E.g. the coordinate location of an irrigation system would be
location/spatial data, while the characteristics of that
irrigation system, e.g. specifications (e.g. capacity), type of
irrigation system, etc would be attribute data.

Data
• Two basic types of spatial data models have evolved for
storing geographic data digitally. These are referred to as:
• Vector
• Raster

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Data
• Vector Data Models
• Involves the use of points, lines and polygons to represent a
geographic feature
• Vector storage implies the use of vectors (directional lines) to
represent a geographic feature.

Data
• Raster Data Models
• involves the use of a grid-cell data structure where the
geographic area is divided into cells identified by row and
column.

People
• GIS users range from technical specialists who design and
maintain the system to those who use it to help them
perform their everyday work.
• The identification of GIS specialists versus end users is often
critical to the proper implementation of GIS technology.
• People in GIS mainly manage the system and develop plans
for applying it to real world problems.

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Procedures
• A successful GIS operates according to a well-designed
implementation plan and business rules, which are the
models and operating practices unique to each organization.
• To do this properly requires not only the necessary
investments in hardware and software
• retraining and/or hiring of personnel to utilize the new
technology in the proper organizational context

Epilogue

References

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