DATA ORGANIZATION

Data definition
“Data refers to a collection of organized
information, usually the result of experience,
observation or experiment, other information
within a computer system, or a set of
premises. This may consist of numbers, words,
or images, particularly as measurements or
observations of a set of variables.” -
Wikipedia
 outline
 Need to organize data
 Commonly used terms

 Concepts of GIS data organization

 How to organize data in ArcGIS?

 Demo

 Conclusion/Summary
NEED to organize data

A form that allows both spatial and attribute

data to be quickly retrieved for updating,
querying and analysis
Organizing data for analysis
GIS software mainly organizes data in layers.
Layers are thematically defined, based on a
project requirement.

Attribute and spatial data may be entered at

different times and may be required to be
linked together.

5. Spatial Data
6. Non-spatial data
 Commonly used terminology
 Layer – “The visual representation of a geographic dataset in any
digital environment ….” – ESRI
In ArcGIS it refers to a data source such as shapefile, raster,
geodatabase feature class and any representation that is attached
with it.
 Table – A set of data stored in rows and columns. Columns refer
to fields. Rows and columns intersect to form cells.
 Relationship – An association or link that exists between two
objects in a database. Relationships can exist between spatial
objects (features), between nonspatial objects (rows in a table),
or between spatial and nonspatial objects.
 Features– Geometrical shapes often expressed as vectors.
Often expression of a real world object on a map.
 Attribute Data – Tabular or textual data describing the
geographic characteristics of features.
 Spatial Reference – The coordinate system used to store a
spatial dataset.
 Feature Class – A collection of features with the same
geography type.
 Raster Catalog – A collection of raster datasets. It is often used
to display adjacent rasters
SPATIAL DATA LAYERS
 Vertical Data Organization
 Data is separated by various themes and overlaid based
on analytical requirements. Most commonly used to
organize data.
SPATIAL DATA LAYERS contd…
 Proper identification of layers is critical. This
involves:
Identifying information products.
Identifying data requirements for information
products.
Prioritizing data requirements and products.
Determining GIS functional requirements.
SPATIAL DATA LAYERS contd…
 Spatial indexing – Horizontal Data Organization
 The proprietary organization of data layers in a
horizontal manner is called spatial indexing. Often this
is in form of grids for easier querying and retrieval.
SPATIAL DATA LAYERS contd…
 The horizontal indexing of spatial data
involves:
The use of a librarian subsystem to organize data
for users
The requirement for a formal definition of layers.
The need for feature coding with themes of layers.
Requirements to maintain data integrity through
transaction of selected tiles.
 Organizing data in arcgis
 Use ArcCatalog to preview and organize
spatial and non-spatial data.
 Use a geodatabase to act as a central
repository.
A geodatabase is a container that stores a collection of
datasets.

Types:
1. File Geodatabases (.gdb)
2. Personal Geodatabases (.mdb)
3. Enterprise - ArcSDE Geodatabases
 COMPONENTS OF A
GEODATABASE
 Geographic Datasets
Feature Dataset – vector based
Raster Dataset – raster (pixel) based
TIN Dataset – triangulation based
 Tables
 Feature classes
Simple feature classes
Topological feature classes
 Relationship Classes
 INSIDE A GEODATABASE

Tables
Feature Dataset
Raster Datasets
Spatial
reference
Feature classes
Polygon Annotation Raster Catalogs
Line Route
Point
Toolboxes
Relationship Classes
Tools Scripts Models
Topology
Behavior
Geometric Networks Attribute defaults
Attribute domains
Network Datasets Split/Merge policy
Connectivity rules
Relationship rules
 CHOOSING BETWEEN DIFFERENT
TYPES OF GEODATABASES
 File Geodatabase
 Stores datasets in folders or files
 Size Limit – 1 Terrabyte (optionally can be increased)
 Operating system – cross platforms
 Can be encrypted for read only
 Good default choice
 Personal Geodatabase
 Stores its datasets in a Microsoft Access .mdb file on disk
 Size Limit – between 250 - 500 Megabyte
 Operating system – Windows only
 ArcSDE Geodatabase
 Stores datasets in DBMSs like Oracle, Oracle with Locator or
Spatial, SQL Server, DB2, Informix, PostgresSQL
 Allows multiuser editing, version control, archiving
 CREATING A GEODATABASE
 Migrate existing databases to geodatabase
 Use UML and CASE tools subsystem of ArcGIS to
generate the schema of your geodatabase
MODELING GEODATABASES
 Case Tools implement UML
 Use Design Software like Visio, Rational Rose to build
UML
 Exported to an intermediate format: Microsoft
Repository or an XML Metadata Interchange (XMI) file
 Use the Schema Wizard in ArcCatalog to create the
schema in your geodatabase from your UML model
 Use available Templates to develop models
IMPORTING DATA TO A GEODATABSE
 Converting data to the
Geodatabase
 Shapefiles
 Coverages
 Geodatabases
 CAD files (AutoCAD and
MicroStation)
 Data can be easily converted
to geodatabase feature
classes
 Multiple methods
 Context Menus in ArcCatalog
and ArcMap
 Geoprocessing Tools
 Copy/Paste in ArcMap
 Drag and Drop to ArcSDE
 DATA IMPORT TOOLS
 Feature class to Feature class
tool is most versatile, allows
different data sources
 There are specific tools for
Annotation
 There are specific tools for
CAD Data
 Load Data Tool can be added
to ArcMap via Customize
dialog
 demo

 Create a Geodatabase.
 Create a dataset.
 Define spatial coordinate.
 Import shapefiles in to the dataset.
 Import tables
 Conclusion
(steps taken to organize data)
 Data Organization is tailored to the research
question you are trying to answer.
 Identify the different pieces of the puzzle.

 How are the different components of data tied

in?
 Have you documented the:
Data?
Process?