GIS Basics1

Basics of a Geographical Information Systems(GIS)
1
What is a GIS ?
“A GIS is a computer-based system that

provides the following four sets of
capabilities to handle geo-referenced data:
1. Input
2. Data management (storage and retrieval)
3. Manipulation and analysis
4. Output.”
(Aronoff, 1989)
2
GIS Functional Modules
Data Input
Database
Query and Output and

Analysis Visualization
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Data Input
Method Devices
Manual digitizing Keyboard
Tablet or mouse
photogrammetry
Automatic digitizing Scanner
Semi-automatic Line following device
digitizing
Digital data Tape, CD ROM,
network
4
Data Output and Visualization
Method Devices
Hardcopy printer
plotter
film writer
Softcopy Computer screen
Digital data Tape, CD ROM,
network
5
What does a GIS?
A GIS works with objects, their attributes,

and the relationships among the objects.
The objects are stored in a database

using geometric primitives (volumes,
areas, lines, points), their attributes and
the relationships between them
(topology).
6
Characteristics of Geographic Data
 Spatial data: features orientation shape, size

& structure
 Non-Spatial data: Information about various
attributes like area, length &
population
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Characteristics of Spatial Data
 spatial reference
 where?
 attributes
 spatial relationships  what?
 temporal component
 how?
 metadata (information about data)  when?
8
Implementation Models
Field View Object View

 tessellation (raster,  vector (topological
grid) vector model)
– simple data structure – efficient representation

– difficult to represent of topology
topology – complex data structure
– suitable for image – certain functions are
processing functions difficult to implement
9
Spatial Data:
Feature and Feature Type
 A feature is a representation of a real
world phenomenon. (Example:
“Dehradun”)
 A feature type is a class of features
with common characteristics.
Example: “city”)
10
Spatial Data: Feature Attribute
and Feature Attribute Type
 A feature attribute is a characteristic
of a specific feature. (Example:
“population 1 lakh”)
 A feature attribute type is a
characteristic relevant for features
belonging to a certain feature type.
(Example: “population”)
11
Spatial Data:
Feature Relationship
A feature relationship is a logical link
between features. (Example: “The
neighbors of the Dehradun are Hardwar
and Roorkee.”)
12
Spatial Data and Information
A geographic information system (GIS)

is used to enter, store and maintain,
process, analyze and display spatial
data.
13
Real (and Virtual) World Models
Maps Databases
10100100111
Visualization Storage
Representation
Generalization
14
Maps
 Best known conventional model

 Two-dimensional
 Static
 Visualization as their major function
 Small-scale = less detail, larger area
(e.g. 1:1.000.000)
 Large-scale = more detail, smaller area (e.g.
1:10.000)
 Generalization (scale-dependant)
15
GIS structures as
representations of reality
Two approaches have been widely adopted for representing
the spatial & attribute information within a GIS
• A composite model (raster)
• Geo-relational model (vector)
16
spatial data models
 two fundamental approaches:
 raster model
 vector model
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a raster view of the world...
Features
Raster
Tessellation
Sampling
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raster model
The entity information is

explicitly recorded for a
basic data unit
(cell, grid or pixel)
19
vector model
 In a vector-based GIS data are handled as:

 Points X,Y coordinate pair + label
 Lines series of points
 Areas line(s) forming their boundary
(series of polygons)
line
feature
area
point feature feature
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vector model
21
layers in a raster model
Layer 1
Layer 2
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layers in an vector-based
model (1)
Layer 2
Layer 1
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layers in an vector-based
model (2)
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raster versus vector data model
Raster model Vector model
Simple data structure Complex data structure

Easy and efficient overlaying Difficult to perform overlaying
Compatible with Remote Sensing imagery Not compatible with RS imagery
High spatial variability is efficiently represented Inefficient representation of high spatial variability
Simple for programming by user
Same grid cell definition for various attributes
Inefficient use of computer storage Compact data structure

Errors in perimeter and shape Efficient encoding of topology
Difficult to perform network analysis Easy to perform network analysis
Inefficient projection transformations
Loss of information when using large pixel sizes
Less accurate and less appealing map output Highly accurate map output
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Basics of a Geographical Information Systems(GIS)

“A GIS is a computer-based system that

Query and Output and

A GIS works with objects, their attributes,

The objects are stored in a database

 Spatial data: features orientation shape, size

Field View Object View

– simple data structure – efficient representation

A geographic information system (GIS)

 Best known conventional model

• A composite model (raster)

• Geo-relational model (vector)

 two fundamental approaches:

The entity information is

 In a vector-based GIS data are handled as:

Raster model Vector model

Simple data structure Complex data structure

Inefficient use of computer storage Compact data structure

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