Understanding Gis

by Rhind, David; Esri Press; Connolly, Teresa; Environmental Systems Research Institute (Redlands, Calif.)

• ISBN13: 9781879102002
• ISBN10: 1879102005
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-10-28
• Publisher: Esri Pr

Summary

This workbook, designed primarily for beginners, uses hands-on exercises to teach the basics of GIS in the context of completing an ARC/INFO software project.

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction
Why GIS
What is a GIS?	2	(5)
Spatial operations	3	(1)
Data linkage	4	(3)
Questions a GIS can answer	7	(1)
Sample GIS applications	8	(1)
Components of a GIS	9	(2)
What a GIS is not	9	(2)
Using a GIS	11	(19)
Summary	30
Introduction to GIS and ARC/INFO
Basic map concepts	2	(2)
Map features	2	(1)
Spatial relationships	3	(1)
Symbols and labels depict descriptive information	3	(1)
Storing geographic data	4	(23)
Representing maps in the computer	5	(2)
Representing multiple features	7	(2)
What is topology?	9	(7)
Organizing map information	16	(3)
Representing descriptive data in the computer	19	(1)
Connecting features and attributes	20	(2)
The relate and join relational operators	22	(4)
Terminology review	26	(1)
Summary	27
Starting your ARC/INFO project
Project overview	2	(3)
Designing the database	5	(12)
Identifying data layers and attributes	5	(5)
Defining each attribute	10	(3)
Coordinate registration	13	(4)
Starting the data automation project	17	(7)
Workspace organization and naming conventions	17	(1)
Backing up your data	18	(6)
Advanced topic---Building an application system	24	(2)
Summary	26
Getting spatial data into ARC/INFO
Data capture	2	(5)
Key terms	2	(1)
Digitizing	3	(4)
Steps used to capture data by digitizing	7	(6)
Digitizing maps in ARC/INFO	13	(27)
Command usage	13	(1)
The user's guides	14	(2)
Starting ARC	16	(1)
Starting ARCEDIT	16	(5)
Drawing the coverage	21	(2)
Digitizing from a map manuscript	23	(11)
Adding labels	34	(2)
Drawing the coverage	36	(2)
Exiting ARCEDIT	38	(2)
Advanced topic---Coverage creation alternatives	40	(6)
Starting GENERATE	44	(2)
Summary	46
Making spatial data usable
Steps for making spatial data usable	2	(6)
Automating polygon data	2	(6)
Constructing topology	8	(7)
Feature attribute tables	8	(2)
BUILD versus CLEAN	10	(5)
Identifying digitizing errors	15	(10)
Correcting spatial data using ARCEDIT	25	(29)
Setting the environment	26	(7)
Performing edits	33	(3)
Preparation	36	(1)
Adding missing data	37	(9)
Correcting mistakes graphically	46	(7)
More practice	53	(1)
Reconstructing topology	54	(3)
Advanced topic---Editing a line coverage	57	(7)
Summary	64
Getting attribute data into ARC/INFO
Steps for getting attribute data into ARC/INFO	2	(2)
Using TABLES to create a tabular data file	4	(7)
Defining a relate item	6	(5)
Using TABLES to enter descriptive attributes	11	(5)
Using ARC/INFO to link attributes to geographic features	16	(10)
Relate and join	21	(5)
Advanced topic---Adding attributes from an existing digital file	26	(5)
Summary	31
Managing the database
Coordinate systems for a multi-coverage database	6	(18)
Thematic layers	6	(1)
Spatial partitions or `tiles'	6	(1)
Real-world coordinate systems	7	(1)
Latitude-Longitude	8	(1)
Planar coordinate systems	9	(1)
Map projections	10	(2)
Tic features	12	(1)
Transformation	12	(12)
Joining adjacent maps	24	(20)
Database management	44	(2)
Summary	46
Performing geographic analysis
Introduction to geographic analysis	2	(1)
Steps for performing geographic analysis	2	(1)
Establish the objectives and criteria of the analysis	3	(6)
Prepare data for spatial operations	9	(2)
Perform spatial operations	11	(17)
Generating buffers	11	(5)
Using coverages to manipulate spatial features	16	(3)
Performing a polygon overlay	19	(8)
Performing a sequence of spatial operations	27	(1)
Prepare data for tabular analysis	28	(3)
Perform the tabular analysis	31	(5)
RESELECT	31	(1)
ASELECT	31	(1)
CALCULATE	32	(4)
Evaluate and interpret the results	36	(5)
Advanced topic---Refine the analysis as necessary	41	(9)
Summary	50
Presenting the results of the analysis
What is a map?	2	(2)
Geographic features	2	(1)
Cartographic elements	3	(1)
Using symbols	4	(4)
Symbol definitions	4	(1)
Symbol files	5	(1)
Types of symbols	6	(1)
Using symbols effectively	7	(1)
Steps for creating your map	8	(14)
The map message	8	(1)
Intended audience	8	(2)
Output medium and size	10	(1)
Scale	11	(1)
Balance	11	(2)
Symbolizing features using their attribute values	13	(6)
Key legends	19	(3)
Using ARC/INFO to create your map	22	(13)
Indicate the display	23	(1)
Specify the geographic area	24	(1)
Specify the map parameters (size, position and scale)	25	(4)
Draw the coverage features	29	(3)
Add the additional cartographic elements	32	(3)
Report design and generation	35	(3)
Advanced topic---Creating a map for display	38	(9)
Summary	47
Customizing ARC/INFO
What's in an SML	2	(4)
Running an SML program	2	(4)
SML menus	6	(5)
Anatomy of a menu	7	(4)
Anatomy of an SML program	11	(7)
Components of EX3.SML	14	(4)
Getting more out of SML	18	(11)
Local and global variables	18	(3)
Passing arguments	21	(1)
Flow of control	22	(2)
The SHOW command	24	(3)
Looping mechanisms	27	(2)
Developing a user interface	29	(10)
Calling the menu	30	(1)
Adding a zoom function	31	(5)
Adding a query function	36	(3)
Summary	39
What next
Appendices
Appendix A: Confirming training data installation
Appendix B: Project database
Appendix C: Map sheets
Appendix D: Answers to written exercises
Appendix E: Sample maps
Glossary
Index
Questionnaire