CHAPTER 1

DEFINITION AND PROCESS OF GIS

CHAPTER 1 DEFINITION AND PROCESS OF GIS GEO280

 INTRODUCTION TO GIS
Topics :
GIS Overview – Definition
Components of GIS
Capabilities of GIS
Importance of GIS

CHAPTER 1 DEFINITION AND PROCESS OF GIS GEO280

 OVERVIEW: WHAT IS GIS??

G GEOGRAPHIC

I INFORMATION

S SYSTEM

CHAPTER 1 DEFINITION AND PROCESS OF GIS GEO280

 WHAT IS ???
G : Geographic
Geography – A science that deals with the description, distribution,
and interaction of the diverse physical, biological, and cultural
features of the earth's surface (spaces and places)

I : Information
Interpreted data
Data that has been processed, organized, structured or presented in a
given context so as to make it useful

S : System
A set of detailed methods, procedures and routines created
to carry out a specific activity, perform a duty, or solve
a problem.

CHAPTER 1 DEFINITION AND PROCESS OF GIS GEO280

 A system which involves collecting/capturing,
storing, processing, manipulating, analyzing,
managing, retrieving and displaying data
(information) which is, essentially, referenced
to the real-world or the earth (i.e.
geographically referenced)

GIS…………….
CHAPTER 1 DEFINITION AND PROCESS OF GIS GEO280
 DEFINITION OF GIS…
 A geographic information system (GIS) integrates hardware,
software, and data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and
displaying all forms of geographically referenced
information.

 A geographic information system (GIS) is a computer system

for capturing, storing, querying, analyzing, and displaying
geospatial data.

 Geospatial data
- Data that identifies both the geographic location and
characteristics of spatial features on the Earth’s surface
(Chang, 2008)

CHAPTER 1 DEFINITION AND PROCESS OF GIS GEO280

  GIS allows us to view, understand, question, interpret, and
visualize data in many ways that reveal relationships,
patterns, and trends in the form of maps, reports, and charts.

 A GIS helps you answer questions and solve problems by

looking at your data in a way that is quickly understood and
easily shared.

CHAPTER 1 DEFINITION AND PROCESS OF GIS GEO280

 DEFINITION

 GIS = MAP + DATABASE

Vector Raster TIN Table

 GIS is a technology that combines the graphic

characteristics of features in the world (Map) with detailed information
about those features (Attributes) forming a
database referenced to geographic location (Spatial Database).

CHAPTER 1 DEFINITION AND PROCESS OF GIS GEO280

CHAPTER 1 DEFINITION AND PROCESS OF GIS GEO280
 GIS COMPONENTS
• It is an integration of five basic
components
• The key components of GIS are a
computer system, geospatial
data and users.
• A computer system for GIS
consists of hardware, software
and methods designed to support
the data capture, processing,
analyzing, modeling and display
of geospatial data.

CHAPTER 1 DEFINITION AND PROCESS OF GIS GEO280

 ANSWER ALL THE QUES.
ABOUT DATA THE POWER OF
The most important COMPUTER
 Processor with power to run the
component of a GIS software
 What types of data  Sufficient memory storage
 Where can be collected?  Good quality-high resolution colur
 How it can be used? graphic screen
DATA
 Data input & output devices

SOFTWARE GIS
COMPONENTS HARDWARE

ESSENTIAL SOFTWARE
Allow user to :- import, METHODS
store, manage, transform, PEOPLE
analyze and output data
USER
PROCESSING
Well designed implementation Technical speciallist
plans Common user
Unique operations and analysis Viewers
Skill + experiences
CHAPTER 1 DEFINITION AND PROCESS OF GIS GEO280
 • Hardware
— The computer system includes the computer and the operating system to
run GIS.
— Today GIS run on the wide range of hardware types from centralized
computer server to desktop computer used in stand alone or network
configuration.

• Software
― GIS software are provides the functions and tools needed to store,
analyze and display geographic information.
― Not only the actual GIS software but also various databases, drawing,
statistical,
― Imaging or specific application software.

CHAPTER 1 DEFINITION AND PROCESS OF GIS GEO280

 • People
— Develop the procedures and define the tasks of the GIS.
— Manage the system and develop plans for applying it to real
world problems.
— Design and maintain the system to those who use it to help them
perform their work.
— Refer to GIS professional
— GIS technology is limited without the people.

• Data
— The most important in GIS. The heart of any GIS is the database.
— Provide an efficient and secure to maintaining the database.
— GIS can integrate spatial data with other existing data resources.
— Data consist of various kinds of input to produce information.

CHAPTER 1 DEFINITION AND PROCESS OF GIS GEO280

 • Method
— A successful GIS operates according to a well designed implementation
plan and business rules.
— Integrated into the entire business strategy and operation.

CHAPTER 1 DEFINITION AND PROCESS OF GIS GEO280

 CAPABILITIES OF GIS

1. Perform geographic queries

The ability of GIS to search databases

and perform geographic queries has
saved many companies literally millions
of dollars. GIS have helped :-
– Decrease the time taken to answer
customer requests.
– Find land that suitable for development.
– Search for relationships among crops,
soils, and climate.
– Locate the position of breaks in
electrical circuits.
A Realtor could use a GIS to find the
houses that have tiled roofs and five
bedrooms

CHAPTER 1 DEFINITION AND PROCESS OF GIS GEO280

 2. Improve organizational integration
- Many organizations that have implemented GIS have found that one
of the main benefits is improved management of their own
organization and resources.

- GIS have the ability to link data sets together by geography, so they
facilitate interdepartmental information sharing and communication.
By creating a shared database one department can benefit from the
work of another. Data can be collected once and used many times.

CHAPTER 1 DEFINITION AND PROCESS OF GIS GEO280

 3. Make better decision with GIS
- A GIS, however, is not an automated decision making system, but is a
tool to query, analyze, and map data in support of the decision making
process.

- GIS technology has been used to assist in tasks such as presenting

information at planning inquiries, helping finding best location for
industrial area, and indentify hot spot for crimes occurrence.
- e.g. GIS can be used to help reach a decision about the location of a
new housing addition that has minimal environmental impact, is
located
at a low risk area, and is close to a population center.

CHAPTER 1 DEFINITION AND PROCESS OF GIS GEO280

 4. Making maps with GIS
- Maps have a special place in GIS. The process of making maps
with GIS is much more flexible than traditional manual or
automated cartography approaches. It begins with database
creation.

- Existing paper maps can be digitized and computer-compatible

information can be translated into the GIS.

- Map products can then be created centered on any location, at any

scale, and showing selected information symbolized effectively to
highlight specific characteristics.

CHAPTER 1 DEFINITION AND PROCESS OF GIS GEO280

 GIS USE

Answer GIS Questions:

•Where should locate?
•What is at? – Location
•Where is? – Objects
•What if? – Models
•Which things are related?
-Pattern
•What has changed?
-Trends

CHAPTER 1 DEFINITION AND PROCESS OF GIS GEO280

 IMPORTANCE OF GIS
1. In environment
2. In public health
3. In natural resources management
4. In disaster management
5. In forestry
6. In urban planning

Etc…

INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS)