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Geographic information systems (GIS) - a central repository of geographic data collected from various sources, including satellites and GPS is emerging as one of the most intriguing and promising high-tech fields. Today, many technical, managerial, engineering, and academic positions require GIS skills, and this easy-to-understand resource answers the call. The book examines and explains all of the critical GIS concepts in a clear voice and in a consistent structure. It provides technical and non-technical professionals, regardless of their background, with an accessible and practical guide to important GIS know-how. While other GIS-learning sources are software-product biased, this unique volume offers an unbiased approach to the fundamentals of learning GIS, helping the reader become functional and knowledgeable in this burgeoning area.
E-Book Content
Geographic Information Systems Demystified
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Geographic Information Systems Demystified Stephen R. Galati
artechhouse.com
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data A catalog record for this book is available from the U.S. Library of Congress.
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ISBN-10: 1-58053-533-x ISBN-13: 978-1-58053-533-5
Cover design by Robert Pike
© 2006 ARTECH HOUSE, INC. 685 Canton Street Norwood, MA 02062 All rights reserved. Printed and bound in the United States of America. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. All terms mentioned in this book that are known to be trademarks or service marks have been appropriately capitalized. Artech House cannot attest to the accuracy of this information. Use of a term in this book should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or service mark.
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To my wife Janet and my children, Zachary, Nicholas, Sarah, and Jacob
Contents xv
Preface
1
2
Acknowledgments
xvii
Introduction
xix
Part I: What Is a Geographic Information System?
1
How Does a GIS Work?
3
The Fundamental Flow of Information
3
Geography and Geographic Data
5
Georeferencing
8
Queries: Locations and Attributes
8
Geoprocessing
9
Spatial Analysis
11
Geographic Information
12
Why Use a GIS?
15
Discerning Your Need for GIS
16
vii
viii
Geographic Information Systems Demystified
3
4
Common GIS Products and Bi-Products
17
Database Management Systems
19
Quality Assurance, Six Sigma, and GIS
25
Project Visibility and Popularity
26
Benefits, Cost Savings, and Automation
27
The Structure of Geographic Data
29
Raster and Vector Data Structures
29
Vector Feature Geometry
31
Raster Image Structures
34
Topology
35
GIS Attribute Tables and Indices
38
Geospatial Metadata
41
What Is Metadata?
42
Geospatial Metadata and GIS
43
Metadata Schemata, Element Sets, and Syntax
45
Geospatial Metadata Standards
48
Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata Dublin Core Meta