Introduction to Geographical Information Systems (ISS 4102)

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the definitions, components, software classifications, and historical/theoretical framework of Geographical Information Systems as presented in the ISS 4102 course.

GIS (Geographical Information Systems)

A computer system capable of assembling, storing, manipulating, and displaying geographically referenced information, also known as "The science of where".

QGIS (Quantum GIS)

A Free Open Source Software (FOSS) package used for identifying, manipulating, and analyzing spatial data.

Toolbox-based definition (Burrough 1986)

A powerful set of tools for collecting, storing, retrieving at will, transforming and displaying spatial data from the real world.

Department of Environment (1987) GIS Definition

A system for capturing, storing, checking, manipulating, analysing and displaying data which are spatially referenced to the earth.

Database definition (Smith et al. 1987)

A database system in which most of the data are spatially indexed, and upon which a set of procedures operated in order to answer queries about spatial entities.

Organization-based definition (Carter 1989)

An institutional entity reflecting an organisational structure that integrates technology with a database, expertise, and continuing financial support over time.

Decision support system (Cowen 1988)

A system involving the integration of spatially referenced information in a problem-solving environment.

Hardware

The computer and peripheral devices (scanners, digitizers, plotters, printers) on which a GIS operates and with which the user interacts.

Network

A fundamental component that enables rapid communication or sharing of digital information, allowing users to access remote GIS servers via the Internet or Intranets.

DBMS (Database Management System)

A key software component used within a GIS to organize and maintain both spatial and related tabular data.

Geometry data

Spatial data types that include Points, Lines, polygons (areas), and raster cells.

Attributive data

Information or characteristics associated with geometry data in a GIS.

Methods/Procedures

The well-designed plans, business rules, and operating practices unique to each organization that ensure GIS activities stay within budget and meet quality standards.

Professional GIS

Fully featured software with capabilities for database administration and advanced geo-processing, typically costing between $US\$8000$ and $US\$20,000$ per user.

Desktop GIS

Software focused on data use, map-making, and reporting rather than data creation, with prices ranging from $\$1000$ to $\$2000$.

Hand-held GIS

GIS software supporting display and simple analytical applications on small screens (e.g., $320 \times 240$ pixels), costing around $\$500$.

Component GIS

Tool kits of GIS functions used by programmers to build customized, optimized applications that can be stand-alone or embedded.

Viewer GIS

Free software with limited capabilities restricted to display, query, and simple mapping; they do not support editing or sophisticated analysis.

Internet GIS

Products that integrate GIS technology with Web browsers and servers using the hypertext transmission protocol (http) for communication.

Raster-based GIS

GIS systems that focus primarily on raster data and analysis, such as IDRISI and ERDAS Imagine.

CAD-based GIS

Systems developed from computer-aided design packages that have added GIS capabilities, such as Autodesk Map and ESRI ArcCad.

Georeferencing

The process of scanning and assigning geographic coordinates to analog maps, aerial photos, or satellite imagery.

Digitizing

The manual process of converting analog maps into digital vector data.