Definition Geographical Information Systems - Term Paper Example

University: Geographical Information Systems Name: Date: GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS Geographic Information Systems also denoted as (GIS) are computer systems that enable one to model, map, query, as well as analyze an immense quantity of data that is within a single database. The data is taken, stored, manipulated, analyzed and managed in accordance to its location. In using GIS, one can create maps, visualize scenarios, integrate information, and develop practical solutions and present influential ideas. Organizations, governments, individuals, businesses, and schools use geographic information systems to seek innovative ways that will help them solve their problems. The geographical information systems can store the world's information. In order to accomplish this, the GIS stores this information inform of layers collection that can connected by a common locational unit. These units or components could include postal zip codes, road names, longitudes, and latitudes, or even census tract names (Burghardt et al., 2014, p.67). Such kinds of references permit one in locating earth’s surface features that can be used to analyze trends and patterns. Multiple map layers could be arranged in order to exhibit information about hydrography, economic activities, political jurisdictions, transport networks, and population characteristics. This paper is going to promote Geographical Information System technology use so as to give efficient and effective data management for hydrographic data that is processed. For software and hardware limitations, the use of Geographical Information Systems has in the past been restricted. A research based on effecting Geodatabase which is an object-oriented graphical information system data model was recently completed by the Environmental Systems Research Institute (Longley 2009). The model presents itself well applications and database designs. These forms are associated with collecting, documenting, distributing as well as analyzing a vast amount of raster, vector, as well as surface modeling data. There is also the provision of behavior and states setting for every data object by the end user. We are going to discuss the utilization of GIS in hydrographic survey charting. Hydrography was established by historic early navigators sailing to the different part of the world as they discover new continents and lands. Geographic information system is an appropriate for hydrographic survey due to various reasons. The priority of most port authorities is to ensure that the movement of a substantial amount of the river traffic that is handling cargos is safe. Any data that has spatial component is processed by Geographic Information Systems. For the purposes of hydrography, this information is found to be quite diverse as it could be satellite imagery or aerial photographs, multi beam surroundings, high-resolution sonar data as well as LIDAR data (Meaden et al., 2008, p.137). One of the primary essential theory to understand about geographic information systems is that it is a DBMS standing for Geographic database management system. Geodatabases are carried out directly on object-relational DBMS or commercial relational systems. The reason geodatabases are directly implemented on object-relational or commercial relational database management systems is to influence commercial database software capabilities. These commercial database software’s include table definition, system administration tools, data backup, and transaction management. In order to achieve efficient geographic data storage, spatial analytical tasks, and maps production, the GIS has to extend its object-relational database (Longley 2011, p.71). There are various functions that the Geographical Information system adds to the object related database system. These features are described as follows. One is having the capability of storing geometric shapes of various features in a database column directly. There is also a framework that defines map layers and specifies drawing methods that can be drawn on the basis of attribute value. The other function is having an infrastructure that supports the creation of both sophisticated and simple maps. Another feature added to the object related database by the GIS software is an operators set that determines geographic relations that include adjacency, spiral comparison, overlay, and proximity. We can, therefore, say that the above reasons prove that GIS is an appropriate tool for hydrographic survey. Thus, a GIS permitted database management system. The architecture hence provides the best sophisticated geographic software as well as commercial database technology. There are three ways that modeling of data may occur with the GIS. One of these ways is modeling data as an accumulation of separate features in vector format. The other is as a cells grid with attribute or spectral data while the last one is as a set of three-sided points modeling a surface. The geo-database carries out the representation of vector data with feature classes and feature datasets, the representation of raster data with raster datasets, as well as three-sided representation of data with irregular triangulated networks (Wang 2005). We are going to discuss how maps are developed using GIS. In the event where the intended data has been keyed into the GIS system, they can be amalgamated so as to produce a broad range of individual maps. This however is going to be dependent on the type of data layers that will be included. For example, by the use of GIS technology, a large amount of information concerning a city can be reviled. There can be the production of maps relating to information such as book sales, average income, and voting patterns. Subtraction and addition can be done to any Geographic information system data layer of the same map. Information about density and number can be shone by the use of GIS maps. Applying this concept, GIS could be used to indicate the number of doctors in different areas contrasted with the population. They can also be used to tell phenomena’s such as what businesses or homes are in areas that are prone to flooding. Geographical Information Systems contain enormous data variety that do not appear on the printed map or an onscreen. At times, GIS technology allows the users have the capability of accessing information. By pointing onto a specified spot that is on a computerized map, it is possible for one to find some other information that is stored in the Geographic Information System about that particular location. If for instance we pick a school as an example, it is possible for one to click on an individual school and find out the number of the enrolled students. One can further be able to explore details such as the number of students that there are per teacher or even the sport facilities that there are in that school. GIS systems are mostly useful in areas such as to geologists in studying faults as they are used in the production of three-dimensional images. The mixture of a number of spatial datasets leads to a data set with a new vector datasets. On creating a map for any website, one has to determine the types of data layers to be counted and the way in which the features of the plans will be interpreted. There are five steps in the GIS analysis process. We are going to begin with framing the question. The action seems clear as one is always assigned an assignment to find certain in formations (Wang 2005). In various cases, there is the involvement of answering questions in some projects. The other analytical step is exposure and data preparation. Of all the analysis steps, this one is the one that will consume the greatest amount of time. If one does not have a real source of these information’s they are most likely to compromise the quality of data. The third analytical process is choosing analysis methods as well as tools. When one choses an analysis method, one is going to have the privilege of establishing the best quality of data collected. Performing the analysis is the other step. If the instructions were well followed in the prior step, this step will be easy as it deals with analyzing data that has been formerly collected. Of the final analytical step is the examination and the refinement of the results. If one has an analysis that shows the health care services are consistent. In critically studying the data of a certain given area, on will find that the more densely populated the area is, more facilities such as hospitals are present. There are various problems that are limiting the GIS in hydrographic survey. It is import to note that there are various severe limitations of GIS. These limitations fall into four main classes. The classes could be divided into problems that involve the Geographical information systems data model, data problems, academic paradigm, as well as practical problems. There are four types graphic primitive that are polygons, lines, points, and pixels. However, some of the major limitations that are facing GIS are as follows. One is lacking qualified staff. For most hydrographic departments, staff with GIS training are rare to find as GIS is a new technology (Burghardt et al., 2014, p.67). The other limitation is the data limitation. The problem of data limitation has faced the developing, and he developed nations for a decade. There has been a major problem in attaining funds for data collection and using the information acquired form the data to convert it into digital format. There also has been financial implications of the software and hardware. On this, we could say that over the past decade, this issue has been seen as a lesser problem. References Burghardt, D., Duchene, C., & Mackaness, W. A 2014. Abstracting geographic information in a data rich world: methodologies and applications of map generalization Longley, P. A 2009. Geographical information systems and science. Chi Chester [u.a.], Wiley. Meaden, G. J., & Thang-Do-Chi 2008. Geographical information systems: applications to marine fisheries. Longley, P 2011. Geographic information systems & science. Hoboken, NJ, Wiley. Wang, F 2005. Geographic information systems and crime analysis. Hershey, PA, Idea Group Pub. Read More