Functions of GIS

GIS Software The GIS software includes the program and the user interface for driving
the hardware. Common user interfaces in GIS are menus, graphical icons, and
commands.
Brainware Equally important as the computer hardware and software, the brainware
refers to the purpose and objectives, and provides the reason and justification, for
using GIS.
Infrastructure The infrastructure refers to the necessary physical, organizational,

administrative, and cultural environments for GIS operations. The infrastructure
includes requisite skills, data standards, data clearinghouses, and general
organizational patterns.
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land use planning, timber management, wildlife habitat analysis, riparian zone
monitoring, and natural hazard assessment. In more recent years, GIS has been used
in emergency planning, market analysis, facilities management, transportation
planning, and military applications. Integration of GIS with other technologies such as
Global Positioning System (GPS) and the Internet has introduced new applications.
The ability of GIS to handle and process geographically referenced data

distinguishes GIS from other information systems. Geographically referenced data
Roads and land use types are spatial features as are precipitation and elevation. In
describing a road, for example, we need to refer to its location (i.e., where it is)
and its characteristics (road classification, traffic volume, etc). GIS therefore involves
two geographic data components: spatial data relating to the geometry of spatial
features, and attribute data giving the information about the spatial features.
It is often helpful to think of a GIS as a computer containing maps. One of the
simplest reasons for manipulating maps with computers is to make them easier to
construct and draw, and GIS are often used for this purpose. By computerizing the
map-making process it is possible to edit easily, manipulate the map's contents
without the labor-intensive task of redrafting, communicate maps electronically, and
create output in any convenient form. The advent of GIS has made it possible for
anyone to be a cartographer who is in possession of the necessary software, a
computer to run it on, and a suitable printing device.
FUNCTION OF GIS
The Functions of GIS describe the steps that have to be taken to implement a
GIS. These steps have to be followed in order to obtain a systematic and efficient
system. The steps involved are:
i. Data Capture.
ii. Data Compilation.
iii. Data Storage (GIS Data Models).
iv. Manipulation.
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v. Analysis.
i) Data Capture
Data used in GIS often come from many sources. Data sources are mainly
obtained from Manual Digitization and Scanning of aerial photographs, paper maps,
and existing digital data sets. Remote sensing satellite imagery and GPS are promising
data input sources for GIS.
Digitization; A conversion process which converts paper maps into numerical
digits that can be stored in the computer. Digitizing simplifies map data into sets of
points, lines, or cells that can be stored in the GIS computer.In this stage Digitization is
carried out. There are two basic methods of Digitization: Manual Digitizing &
Scanning. Digitization is of two types : Head Up(Digitization tablet) and Head
Down(Computer screen).
ii) Data Compilation
Following the digitization of map features, the user completes the compilation
phase by relating all spatial features to their respective attributes, and by cleaning up
and correcting errors introduced as a result of the data conversion process.The end
results of compilation is a set of digital files, each accurately representing all of the
spatial and attribute data of interest contained on the original map manuscripts. These
digital files contain geographic coordinates for spatial objects (points, line polygons
and cells) that represent mapped features.
iii) Data Storage (GIS Data Models)
Once the data have been digitally compiled, digital map files in the GIS are
stored on magnetic or other digital media. Data storage is based on a Generic
Data Model that is used to convert map data into a digital form.
The two most common types of data models are Raster and Vector. Both types
are used to simplify the data shown on a map into a more basic form that can be
easily and efficiently stored in the computer.
iv) Manipulation
Once data are stored in a GIS, many manipulation options are available to
users. These functions are often available in the form of "Toolkits." A toolkit is
a set of generic functions that a GIS user can employ to manipulate and
analyze geographic data. Toolkits provide processing functions such as data
retrieval measuring area and perimeter, overlaying maps, performing map
algebra, and reclassifying map data.
Data manipulation tools include Coordinate change, Projections, and Edge
matching, which allow a GIS to reconcile irregularities between map layers or
adjacent map sheets called Tiles.
v) Analysis
The heart of GIS is the analytical capabilities of the system. What distinguish the
GIS system from other information system are its spatial analysis functions. Although
the data input is, in general, the most time consuming part, it is for data analysis that
GIS is used. The analysis functions use the spatial and non-spatial attributes in the
database to answer questions about the real world. Geographic analysis facilitates the
study of real-world processes by developing and applying models. Such models
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illuminate the underlying trends in geographic data and thus make new information
available. Results of geographic analysis can be communicated with the help of maps,
or both.
GIS APPLICATIONS
Mapping Locations: GIS can be used to map locations. GIS allows the creation of
maps through automated mapping, data capture, and surveying analysis tools.
Mapping Quantities: People map quantities, like where the most and least are, to
find places that meet their criteria and take action, or to see the relationships between
places. This gives an additional level of information beyond simply mapping the
locations of features.
Mapping Densities: While you can see concentrations by simply mapping the
locations of features, in areas with many features it may be difficult to see which areas
have a higher concentration than others. A density map lets you measure the number
of features using a uniform areal unit, such as acres or square miles, so you can
clearly see the distribution.
Finding Distances: GIS can be used to find out what's occurring within a set distance
of a feature. mapping and monitoring change: GIS can be used to map the change in
an area to anticipate future conditions, decide on a course of action, or to evaluate the
results of an action or policy.
SPATIAL DATA MODELS

GIS uses two basic data models to represent spatial features: vector and raster. The
data model determines how the data are structured, stored, processed, and analyzed in
a GIS. The vector data model uses points and their x, y coordinates to construct spatial
features of points, lines, and areas. Vector-based features are treated as discrete objects
over the space. The raster data model uses a grid to represent the spatial variation of a
feature. Each cell in the grid has a value that corresponds to the characteristic of the
spatial feature at that location. Raster data are well suited to the representation of
continuous spatial features like precipitation and elevation. Many GIS functions are
either vector-based or raster-based.
1.1. Vector Data Model

The vector data model consists of three types of geometric objects: point, line, and
area. A point may represent a gravel pit, a line may represent a stream, and an area
may represent a vegetated area. A point has 0 dimension. A point feature occupies a
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Functions of GIS

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Functions of GIS

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GIS Software The GIS software includes the program and the user interface for driving

Infrastructure The infrastructure refers to the necessary physical, organizational,

The ability of GIS to handle and process geographically referenced data

SPATIAL DATA MODELS

1.1. Vector Data Model

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