Geographic Information Science ( GIS )

Figure 5: Data modeling from the real world to a database, and from there to digital cartographic models and analogue products for visualization.. Figure 20: Sample (a) region, (b) its binary array, (c) its maximal blocks, and (d) the corresponding quadtree (after SAMET 1990a). IX he first textbook on GIS was published in 1986. Today, we can find dozens of books dealing with GIS. Yet, it is difficult to select the right book that satisfies all needs. This lecture notes are the author's view on what the basic scientific principles of GIS are that everybody should know who wants to use and understand today's geographic information system software. They are the result of more than 20 years involvement in GIS and spatial data handling. It is the intention to teach the principles of GIS independent of any particular software system. Only in this way, the student can abstract from the peculiarities of a particular system and open his/her mind to the fundamental principles of geoinformatics. Any theory needs to be demonstrated with practical examples. This is also true for geographic information science. This lecture notes are designed in such a way that they can be used together with any reasonable GIS software to practice the principles learnt. The notes start with a general introduction to the geoinformatics context and the design and structure of a GIS The following chapter deals with metadata, data quality and sources of error in spatial data. Chapter 3 introduces spatial data models and databases, which are followed by chapter 4 on spatial data structures. Experience shows that particularly with data models and data structures we often find a lot of confusion of terms and sloppy terminology. Therefore, much emphasis has been put to provide the student with a clear and clean treatment of these crucial concepts. Part of the material presented in chapters 4 and 5 come from an earlier lecture note on spatial data structures and algorithms that I have provided for ITC students. They were later revised and expanded by Rolf A. de By. Chapter 5 describes in major lines the spatial analysis functions that we can expect in today's GIS software. Issues on spatial data transfer and the introduction of GIS technology in organizations are presented in 0 Preface " Though this be madness, Yet there's method in it. ". The Binary Bible of Saint $ilicon T X PREFACE chapters 6 and …