ArcGIS

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ArcGIS
ArcMap 10.1 screenshot.png
Parcel editing with ArcMap 10.1 on Windows 7
Developer(s)
Esri
Initial release December 27, 1999; 14 years ago
Stable release 10.3 / December 10, 2014; 9 days ago
Development status
Active
Operating system
Desktop: Windows 7 SP1 and later, Windows Server 2008 SP
2 and later;[1] Server (x64 only) additionally supports: Windows Server 2003 SP2
and later; RHEL 5 Update 7 and later, SLES 11 SP1 and later;[2]
Type
Geographic information system
License Proprietary commercial software
Website http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis
Esri's ArcGIS is a geographic information system (GIS) for working with maps and
geographic information. It is used for: creating and using maps; compiling geog
raphic data; analyzing mapped information; sharing and discovering geographic in
formation; using maps and geographic information in a range of applications; and
managing geographic information in a database.
The system provides an infrastructure for making maps and geographic information
available throughout an organization, across a community, and openly on the Web
.
ArcGIS includes the following Windows desktop software:
ArcReader, which allows one to view and query maps created with the other ArcGIS
products;
ArcGIS for Desktop, which is licensed under three functionality levels:[3]
ArcGIS for Desktop Basic (formerly known as ArcView), which allows one to view s
patial data, create layered maps, and perform basic spatial analysis;
ArcGIS for Desktop Standard (formerly known as ArcEditor), which in addition to
the functionality of ArcView, includes more advanced tools for manipulation of s
hapefiles and geodatabases; or
ArcGIS for Desktop Advanced (formerly known as ArcInfo), which includes capabili
ties for data manipulation, editing, and analysis.
There are also server-based ArcGIS products, as well as ArcGIS products for PDAs
. Extensions can be purchased separately to increase the functionality of ArcGIS
.
Contents [hide]
1 Product history
1.1 ArcGIS 8.x
1.2 ArcGIS 9.x
1.3 ArcGIS 10.x
2 Geodatabase
3 Components and product levels
3.1 ArcGIS for Desktop
3.1.1 Product levels
3.1.2 Components
3.1.3 Extensions
3.2 Other products
4 Sales
5 Criticisms
6 See also
7 References
8 External links
Product history[edit]
ArcGIS version history

Version Released
8.0
1999-12-27[4]
8.0.1 2000-01-13[5]
8.1
2001-05-01[6]
8.2
2002-05-10[7]
8.3
2003-02-10[8]
9.0
2004-05-11[9]
9.1
2005-05-25[10]
9.2
2006-11-14[11]
9.3
2008-06-25[12]
9.3.1 2009-04-28[13]
10.0
2010-06-29[14]
10.1
2012-06-11[15]
10.2
2013-07-30[16]
10.2.1 2014-02-10[17]
10.2.2 2014-02-27[18]
10.3
2014-12-10[19]
Prior to the ArcGIS suite, Esri had focused its software development on the comm
and line Arc/INFO workstation program and several Graphical User Interface-based
products such as the ArcView GIS 3.x desktop program. Other Esri products inclu
ded MapObjects, a programming library for developers, and ArcSDE as a relational
database management system. The various products had branched out into multiple
source trees and did not integrate well with one another. In January 1997, Esri
decided to revamp its GIS software platform, creating a single integrated softw
are architecture.[20]
ArcGIS 8.x[edit]
In late 1999, Esri released ArcGIS 8.0, which ran on the Microsoft Windows opera
ting system.[20] ArcGIS combined the visual user-interface aspect of ArcView GIS
3.x interface with some of the power from the Arc/INFO version 7.2 workstation.
This pairing resulted in a new software suite called ArcGIS, which included the
command-line ArcInfo workstation (v8.0) and a new graphical user interface appl
ication called ArcMap (v8.0) incorporating some of the functionality of ArcInfo
with a more intuitive interface, as well as an ArcGIS file management applicatio
n called ArcCatalog (v8.0). The release of the ArcGIS suite constituted a major
change in Esri's software offerings, aligning all their client and server produc
ts under one software architecture known as ArcGIS, developed using Microsoft Wi
ndows COM standards.[21]
One major difference is the programming (scripting) languages available to custo
mize or extend the software to suit particular user needs. In the transition to
ArcGIS, Esri dropped support of its application-specific scripting languages, Av
enue and the ARC Macro Language (AML), in favour of Visual Basic for Application
s scripting and open access to ArcGIS components using the Microsoft COM standar
ds.[22] ArcGIS is designed to store data in a proprietary RDBMS format, known as
geodatabase. ArcGIS 8.x introduced other new features, including on-the-fly map
projections, and annotation in the database.[23]
Updates of ArcView 3.x extensions, including 3D Analyst and Spatial Analyst, cam
e later with release of ArcGIS 8.1, which was unveiled at the Esri International
User Conference in 2000.[24] ArcGIS 8.1 was officially released on April 24, 20
01. Other new extensions were made available with ArcGIS 8.1, including GeoStati
stical Analyst. ArcGIS 8.1 also added the ability to access data online, directl
y from the Geography Network site or other ArcIMS map services.[22] ArcGIS 8.3 w
as introduced in 2002, adding topology to geodatabases, which was a feature orig
inally available only with ArcInfo coverages.[25]
ArcGIS 9.x[edit]
ArcGIS 9 was released in May 2004, which included ArcGIS Server and ArcGIS Engin
e for developers.[20] The ArcGIS 9 release includes a geoprocessing environment

that allows execution of traditional GIS processing tools (such as clipping, ove
rlay, and spatial analysis) interactively or from any scripting language that su
pports COM standards. Although the most popular of these is Python, others have
been used, especially Perl and VBScript. ArcGIS 9 includes a visual programming
environment, similar to ERDAS IMAGINE's Model Maker (released in 1994, v8.0.2).
The Esri version is called ModelBuilder and as does the ERDAS IMAGINE version al
lows users to graphically link geoprocessing tools into new tools called models.
These models can be executed directly or exported to scripting languages which
can then execute in batch mode (launched from a command line), or they can under
go further editing to add branching or looping.
On June 26, 2008, Esri released ArcGIS 9.3. The new version of ArcGIS Desktop ha
s new modeling tools and geostatistical error tracking features, while ArcGIS Se
rver has improved performance, and support for role-based security. There also a
re new JavaScript APIs that can be used to create mashups, and integrated with e
ither Google Maps or Microsoft Virtual Earth.[26][27]
At the 2008 Esri Developers Summit, there was little emphasis on ArcIMS, except
for one session on transitioning from ArcIMS to ArcGIS Server-based applications
, indicating a change in focus for Esri with ArcGIS 9.3 for web-based mapping ap
plications.[28]
In May 2009, Esri released ArcGIS 9.3.1, which improved the performance of dynam
ic map publishing and introduced better sharing of geographic information.
ArcGIS 10.x[edit]
In 2010, Esri announced what had previously been thought of as version 9.4 would
be version 10 and would be shipped in the second quarter of 2010.[29]
In June 2012, Esri released ArcGIS 10.1.[30][31]
In July 2013, Esri released ArcGIS 10.2.[32]
Geodatabase[edit]
Older Esri products, including ArcView 3.x, worked with data in the shapefile fo
rmat. ArcInfo Workstation handled coverages, which stored topology information a
bout the spatial data. Coverages, which were introduced in 1981 when ArcInfo was
first released, have limitations in how they handle types of features. Some fea
tures, such as roads with street intersections or overpasses and underpasses, sh
ould be handled differently from other types of features.[33]
ArcGIS is built around a geodatabase, which uses an object-relational database a
pproach for storing spatial data. A geodatabase is a "container" for holding dat
asets, tying together the spatial features with attributes. The geodatabase can
also contain topology information, and can model behavior of features, such as r
oad intersections, with rules on how features relate to one another.[34] When wo
rking with geodatabases, it is important to understand about feature classes whi
ch are a set of features, represented with points, lines, or polygons. With shap
efiles, each file can only handle one type of feature. A geodatabase can store m
ultiple feature classes or type of features within one file.[35]
Geodatabases in ArcGIS can be stored in three different ways - as a "file geodat
abase", a "personal geodatabase", or an "ArcSDE geodatabase".[36] Introduced at
9.2, the file geodatabase stores information in a folder named with a .gdb exten
sion. The insides look similar to that of a coverage but is not, in fact, a cove
rage. Similar to the personal geodatabase, the file geodatabase only supports a
single editor. However, unlike the personal geodatabase, there is virtually no s
ize limit. By default, any single table cannot exceed 1TB, but this can be chang
ed. Personal geodatabases store data in Microsoft Access files, using a BLOB fie
ld to store the geometry data. The OGR library is able to handle this file type,

to convert it to other file formats.[37] Database administration tasks for pers

onal geodatabases, such as managing users and creating backups, can be done thro
ugh ArcCatalog. Personal geodatabases, which are based on Microsoft Access, run
only on Microsoft Windows and have a 2 gigabyte size limit.[38] Enterprise (mult
i-user) level geodatabases are handled using ArcSDE, which interfaces with highend DBMS such as Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, DB2 and Informix to handle databa
se management aspects, while ArcGIS deals with spatial data management.[39] Ente
rprise level geodatabases support database replication, versioning and transacti
on management, and are cross-platform compatible, able to run on Linux, Windows,
and Solaris.[38]
Also released at 9.2 is the personal SDE database that operates with SQL Server
Express. Personal SDE databases do not support multi-user editing, but do suppor
t versioning and disconnected editing. Microsoft limits SQL Server Express datab
ases to 4GB.
Components and product levels[edit]
ArcGIS consists of Desktop GIS products, as well as GIS products that run on a s
erver, or on a mobile[40] device.
ArcGIS for Desktop[edit]
Product levels[edit]
ArcGIS for Desktop is available at different product levels, with increasing fun
ctionality.
ArcReader (freeware, viewer) is a basic data viewer for maps and GIS data publis
hed in the proprietary Esri format using ArcGIS Publisher. The software also pro
vides some basic tools for map viewing, printing and querying of spatial data. A
rcReader is included with any of the ArcGIS suite of products, and is also avail
able for free to download. ArcReader only works with preauthored published map f
iles, created with ArcGIS Publisher.[41]
ArcGIS for Desktop Basic, formerly known as ArcView, is the entry level of ArcGI
S licensing offered. With ArcView, one is able to view and edit GIS data held in
flat files, or view data stored in a relational database management system by a
ccessing it through ArcSDE.
ArcGIS for Desktop Standard, formerly known as ArcEditor, is the midlevel softwa
re suite designed for advanced editing of spatial data published in the propriet
ary Esri format. It provides tools for the creation of map and spatial data used
in GIS, including the ability of editing geodatabase files and data, multiuser
geodatabase editing, versioning, raster data editing and vectorization, advanced
vector data editing, managing coverages, coordinate geometry (COGO), and editin
g geometric networks. ArcEditor is not intended for advanced spatial analysis.[4
2]
ArcGIS for Desktop Advanced, formerly known as ArcInfo, allows users the most fl
exibility and control in "all aspects of data building, modeling, analysis, and
map display."[43] ArcInfo includes increased capability in the areas of spatial
analysis, geoprocessing, data management, and others.[42]
Other desktop GIS software include ArcGIS Explorer and ArcGIS Engine. ArcGIS Exp
lorer is a GIS viewer which can work as a client for ArcGIS Server, ArcIMS, ArcW
eb Services and Web Map Service (WMS).
ArcGIS Online [44] is a web application allowing sharing and search of geographi
c information, as well as content published by Esri, ArcGIS users, and other aut
horitative data providers. It allows users to create and join groups, and contro
l access to items shared publicly or within groups.
ArcGIS Web Mapping APIs are APIs for several languages, allowing users to build
and deploy applications that include GIS functionality and Web services from Arc
GIS Online and ArcGIS Server. Adobe Flex, JavaScript and Microsoft Silverlight a
re supported for applications that can be embedded in web pages or launched as s
tand-alone Web applications. Flex, Adobe Air and Windows Presentation Foundation

(WPF) are supported for desktop applications.

Components[edit]
ArcGIS for Desktop consists of several integrated applications, including ArcMap
, ArcCatalog, ArcToolbox, and ArcGlobe. ArcCatalog is the data management applic
ation, used to browse datasets and files on one's computer, database, or other s
ources. In addition to showing what data is available, ArcCatalog also allows us
ers to preview the data on a map. ArcCatalog also provides the ability to view a
nd manage metadata for spatial datasets.[45] ArcMap is the application used to v
iew, edit and query geospatial data, and create maps. The ArcMap interface has t
wo main sections, including a table of contents on the left and the data frame(s
) which display the map. Items in the table of contents correspond with layers o
n the map.[46] ArcToolbox contains geoprocessing, data conversion, and analysis
tools, along with much of the functionality in ArcInfo. It is also possible to u
se batch processing with ArcToolbox, for frequently repeated tasks.[47]
Extensions[edit]
There are a number of software extensions that can be added to ArcGIS for Deskto
p that provide added functionality, including 3D Analyst, Spatial Analyst, Netwo
rk Analyst, Survey Analyst, Tracking Analyst, and Geostatistical Analyst.[48] Ad
vanced map labeling is available with the Maplex extension, as an add-on to ArcV
iew and ArcEditor and is bundled with ArcInfo.[42] Numerous extensions have also
been developed by third parties, such as the MapSpeller spell-checker, ST-Links
PgMap XTools and MAP2PDF for creating georeferenced pdfs (GeoPDF),[49] ERDAS' I
mage Analysis and Stereo Analyst for ArcGIS, and ISM's PurVIEW, which converts A
rc- desktops into precise stereo-viewing windows to work with geo-referenced ste
reoscopic image models for accurate geodatabase-direct editing or feature digiti
zing.
Other products[edit]
ArcGIS Mobile and ArcPad are products designed for mobile devices. ArcGIS Mobile
is a software development kit for developers to use to create applications for
mobile devices, such as smartphones or tablet PCs. If connected to the Internet,
mobile applications can connect to ArcGIS Server to access or update data. ArcG
IS Mobile is only available at the Enterprise level[50]
Server GIS products include ArcIMS (web mapping server), ArcGIS Server and ArcGI
S Image Server. As with ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Server is available at different
product levels, including Basic, Standard, and Advanced Editions. ArcGIS Server
comes with SQL Server Express DBMS embedded and can work with enterprise DBMS su
ch as SQL Server Enterprise and Oracle.[51] The Esri Developer Network (EDN) inc
ludes ArcObjects and other tools for building custom software applications, and
ArcGIS Engine provides a programming interface for developers.[52]
Sales[edit]
ArcGIS Desktop products and ArcPad are available with a single-use license. Most
products are also available with concurrent-use license, while development serv
er licenses and other types of software licenses are available for other product
s.[53] Single-use products can be purchased online from the Esri Store, while al
l ArcGIS products are available through a sales representative or reseller. Annu
al software maintenance and support is also available for ArcGIS.[54] While ther
e are alternative products available from other traditional vendors such as MapI
nfo, Maptitude, and Intergraph, Esri has a dominant share of the GIS software ma
rket with approximately a 36 percent share of the GIS software market worldwide
as of 2002. The ARC Advisory Group estimated in 2010 that ESRI's market share no
w exceeds 40%.[55]
Criticisms[edit]
Esri's change[which?] to the ArcGIS platform rendered incompatible an extensive
range of user-developed and third-party add-on software and scripts. A minority
user base resists migrating to ArcGIS because of changes in scripting capability

, functionality, operating system (Esri developed ArcGIS Desktop software exclus

ively for the Microsoft Windows operating system), as well as the significantly
larger system resources required by the ArcGIS system.[56][57] Esri has continue
d support for these users[citation needed]. ArcView 3.x is still[when?] availabl
e for purchase, and ArcInfo Workstation is still included in a full ArcGIS ArcIn
fo licence to provide some editing and file conversion functionality that has no
t been included to date in ArcGIS.[citation needed] Other issues with ArcGIS inc
lude perceived high prices for the products, proprietary formats, and difficulti
es of porting data between Esri and other GIS software.[58][59][60]
See also[edit]
ST-Links SpatialKit, a tool to connect Spatial Database with ArcMap
ArcView 3.x Covering the older version of ArcView
ArcView The new entry level licensing level of ArcGIS
QGIS an open source alternative to ArcGIS
gvSIG, a multi-platform, open source alternative to ArcGIS