Spatial Data Analysis in the Dynamically Linked ArcView/XGobi/XploRe Environment

In order to fully analyze spatial data, from satellite images to precision agricultural data, the user needs to do these three things: (1) display spatial locations and concomitant geographic variables on maps, (2) visualize these concomitant variables using more general interactive multivariate visualization methods, and (3) execute statistical analyses. At present, in order to accomplish those goals, three di erent kinds of software must be used: a Geographic Information System (GIS), a Dynamic Statistical Graphics (DSG) program, and a Statistical Computing Environment (SCE). We have developed a method to dynamically link three pieces of software, one in each category, so that they can exchange commands and data. The di erent data analytic and graphical methods of these packages complement each other. This linking increases ease and e ciency at all stages of spatial data analysis. The three programs are the GIS ArcView 3.0, the DSG program XGobi, and the SCE XploRe 4. The ArcView/XGobi/XploRe environment will allow us to directly issue and use XploRe commands from within any of the other two packages and it will dynamically link di erent types of views uniquely available in each proArcView 3.0 is a trademark of Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. gram. Two of the links have been successfully implemented, and the other should be completed soon.