Common Terms in GIS: 1. Thematic: - of, relating to, or being a theme. E.g. a scene of thematic importance. 2.

Spatial: - of , relating to, involving or having the nature of space. 3. Parcels: -piece of land, land lot. 4. Census tract: -a geographic region defined for the purpose of taking a census. 5. Raster: -A spatial data model that defines space as an array of equally sized cells arranged in rows & columns. Each cell contains an attribute values & location coordinates. An image uses a raster data structure. 6. Vector: -A coordinate based data model that represents geographic features as points, lines and polygons. 7. Digital Elevation Model: - A topographic surface arranged in a data file as a set of regularly spaced (X, Y, Z) coordinates where Z represents elevation. It is a type of raster GIS layer. In DEM, each cell has a value corresponding to its elevation. The representation of continuous elevation values over a topographic surface by a regular array of Z-values, referenced to a common datum. Typically, used to represent terrain relief. 8. Map: -visual representation of an area - a symbolic depiction highlighting relationships between elements of that space as objects, regions & themes. 9. Thematic Map: -is a map that focuses on a specific theme or subject area, whereas in a general map the variety of phenomena geographical, geological, political- regularly appear together. 10. Layer: -A spatial dataset containing a common feature dataset. 11. Data Frame: -is a way of grouping a set of layers you want to display together. 12. Base-Map: -is the most accurate spatial database within a data system. Base maps tend to be streets, parcels and other fundamental layers. OR A map showing certain fundamental information, used as a base upon which additional data of specialized nature are compiled. 13. Digitizing: -Method of converting information from one format to another using a trace methodology. 14. Remote Sensing: -the technique of collecting information from a distance. Most common mediums used are aerial photography & satellite imagery. 15. Resolution: -The amount of detail found in one pixel of the image E.g. image with one meter resolution means that each pixel in the image represents one square meter on the ground.

Geographic Information System (GIS) and ARCGIS

GIS is a technological field that incorporates geographical features with tubular data in order to map, analyze & assess real world problems. GIS are meant of storing, integrating, analyzing and presenting geographic data. GIS works by relating information from different sources, capturing data, integrating it, forming a common projection, data structuring and data modeling. GIS combines a powerful visualization environment with a strong analytical and modeling framework that is rooted in the science of geography.

Quotes from Organizations: ESRI (Environmental system research institute) GIS is a computer based tool for mapping & analyzing things that exist & events that happen on earth. Gis technology integrates common database operations such as queries & statistical analysis with the unique visualization & geographic analysis benefits offered by maps. USGS (United States Geographical Survey) GIS is a computer system capable of assembling, storing, manipulating & displaying geographically referenced information i.e. data identified according to their location. NASA GIS is an integrated system of computer hardware, software and trained personnel linking topographic, demographic, utility, facility, image & other resource data that is geographically referenced.

Components of GIS: -

1. Hardware: - comprises of the equipment needed to support the many activities of Gis, ranging from data collection to data analysis. The central piece of equipment is the work station, which runs the Gis software. 2. Software: -Different types of software are important for Gis. Central to this is the Gis application package. 3. Data: -core of any GIS: 1. Primary or Spatially Referenced Data:Vector: -Spatial data represented as points, lines & polygons. Raster or Grid Data: -cell based data that represent surfaces. Three types of data-thematic, spectral and imagery (pictures). Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is an example of thematic raster dataset, in which each cell presents certain pixel size with an elevation value assigned to that cell. 2. Coupled: -

Attribute Data: -additional information about each spatial feature housed in tubular format.

GIS Softwares:
1. ESRIs ArcGIS product suites: - ArcGIS Desktop -Server GIS -Developer GIS -Mobile GIS 2. PBBIs Map info 3. AGISMap (shareware, mapping & simple GIS package) 4. Bentley products: - Bentley Map (Desktop Gis) -Bentley cadastre (Desktop land management GIS) -Bentley Descartes (Desktop image editing, analysis & processing) Bentley Geo web publisher (publishing & viewing) 5. Cartographica (for Mac OS) 6. DeLormes XMap 7. Clark Labs IDRISITaiga (integrated GIS & image processing software) 8. Map Maker 9. My World (designed for educational use) 10. SuperGeos super GIS 11. Softrees Terrain tools (for surveying & mapping) -

ArcGIS Software Products

ArcGIS is an integrated family of GIS software products for building a complete GIS. It consists of four primary frameworks for deploying GIS:

ArcGIS Desktop an integrated suite of professional GIS applications composed of three main software products: ArcCatalog, ArcMap, ArcGlobe and ArcScene. Apart from these applications, ArcGIS Desktop includes tools - ArcToolbox, and ModelBuilder, to automate the tasks related to geoprocessing. ArcGIS Desktop is scalable and can address the needs of many types of users. It is available at three functional levels:
1. ArcView focuses on comprehensive data use, mapping, and analysis. 2. ArcEditor adds advanced geodatabase editing and data creation. 3. ArcInfo is a complete, professional GIS desktop containing comprehensive GIS functionality, including rich geoprocessing tools Users can also develop their own custom extensions to ArcGIS Desktop by working with ArcObjects, the ArcGIS software component library. Users develop extensions and custom tools using standard Windows programming interfaces such as Visual Basic (VB), .NET, and Visual C++.

Server GISArcIMS, ArcGIS Server, and ArcGIS Image Server

Developer GISEmbeddable software components for developers to extend GIS desktops, build custom GIS applications, add custom GIS services and Web applications, and create mobile solutions Mobile GISArcPad and ArcGIS Mobile for field computing

ArcGIS Desktop
ArcMap is the main application in ArcGIS and is used for all mapping and editing tasks as well
as for map-based query and analysis. Its the primary application for all map-based tasks including cartography, map analysis, and editing.

ArcCatalog provides an integrated and unified view of all the data files, geodatabases, maps,
globes, and GIS services. It is also used to document and manage metadata.

ArcGlobe and ArcScene, two applications included with the optional ArcGIS 3D Analyst
extension, provide interactive globe and scene views to work with geographic data in both 2D and 3D.

ArcToolbox, an organized collection of geoprocessing tools ModelBuilder, a visual modeling language for building geoprocessing workflows and scripts