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Sari's GIS Glossary

This page is to assist CS2883 students to gain understanding of the commonly used GIS terms.

ASCII American Standard Code for Information Interchange. It is an industry standard code for exchanging alphanumeric codes in terms of bit-signatures. absolute location The location of a point on the earth can be expressed by a grid reference (latitude and longitude). American National Standards Institute (ANSI) An association formed by the American Government and industry to produce and disseminate widely used industrial standards. accuracy It is the degree to which information on a map or in a digital database matches true or accepted values. addressing matching Placing a street address onto the map. It converts the address to a map. aerial photograph It is a picture usually taken from an airplane. It could be taken from directly overhead or at an angle. altitude It is the height of an object above sea level. analog (or analogue) It refers to traditional paper mapping products in contrast with Digital version. arc A line connecting a set of points that form one side of a polygon. area A two dimensional feature represented a boundary by lines. area qualitative map A map uses the colors, patterns, or shades to represenet a geographic class within areas; such as soil and land-use maps. atlas A book of maps attribute Descriptive characteristic of a feature that contains the measurement or value. Non-graphic information associated with a point, line, or area element in a GIS.

Autocad A CAD program (by Autodesk). It could be interfaced with GIS packages for digitizing (e.g. floor plans, engineering graphics, ...etc.) automated cartography Drawing maps with the aid of computer driven display devices such as plotters and graphics screens. AVHRR (advanced very high resolution radiometer) An instrument on NOAA satellite uses for land cover and vegetation mapping and weather condition. Azimuthal Equidistant The globe is projected on a flat surface on a map. base line A starting point to which future changes will be compared. base map (base layer, base data) It is the basic level of map data on which other information is placed for comparison or correlation. bathymetry The science of measuring and charting the depths of an qcean, sea, lake, or other body of water. Bathymetry revealed that the ocean floor,like the surface of the land, has many mountains, plains, and canyons. bench mark It is a mark cut in rocks, posts or buildings to indicate the height of the land above sea level. buffer A zone around a point, line, or area feature that is spatially related to the feature. clipping A graphic process of cutting the edge of a display area. CAD(D) Computer-Aided Design (Drafting). Computer software used in producing technical drawing. cartographic convention The practice of cartography. cartographic elements The components of a map. cartography The science, technology, and art of studying, using, and making maps. cell The basic element in the raster (grid) description of spatial entities. choropleth map A map that shows numerical data for a group of regions by classifying the data into classes. color balance The visual harmony between colors on a map. compass An instrument which is used to find directions. compression

The technique that reduces the physical file size of data. compromise The shape of the continents and directions (north, south, east, west) are distorted, but the distortions are balanced. The Robinson projection is neither area nor shape preserving. Most maps use compromise projections. conformal The shape of the continents and directions (north, south, east, west) are correct and the size is distorted. Navigators and surveyors use conformal maps because they need true shape and direction. contour A line on a map that joins places of the same elevation (height) above sea level (or a specified datum surface. contour interval The vertical difference in measurement units such as meters or feet, between successive contour lines on a contour map. coordinates Two values, usually termed (x, y) describe a location in two-dimensional (the latitude and longitude) geographic space . coordinate system A system to locate a position in two or three dimensional space. credits A cartographic element in which the sources, authorship, and ownership of the map and the map attributes are cited, often including a data or reference. DLGs Digital Line Graphs (USGS) DEMs Digital Elevation Models (USGS) DOQs Digital Orthophoto Quadrangles (USGS) DTM Digital Terrain Model (USGS) DXF Drawing Exchange Format (from AutoCAD for CAD files). It is an ASCII format that describes the contents of a CAD drawing in a way that can be interpreted by other software systems. data analysis Using data to test scientific hypotheses. data dictionary Information about the database files, records,and attributes. It includes the range and type of value, category lists,...etc. data quality It refers to the relative accuracy and precision of a particular GIS database. data set It is a group of geographic information in regard to a theme. data structure The logical and physical means a map feature is encoded.

database A collection of organized digitial data used in a database management system. DIGEST A U.S. military and NATO data transfer standard, best known as the format for the Digital Map of the World, which is in the Defense Mapping Agency's Vector Product Format (DIGEST-A). data analysis The process of using organized data to test scientific hypotheses. data dictionary Information about the definition, structure, and use of data. It is a database containing information about the files, records, and attributes rather than the data. data structure The organization in of data (the reference linkages among data elements). data transfer The exchange of data between non-communicating computer systems and different GIS software packages. database A list of related information. A GIS database includes data about the position and the attributes of geographical features that have been coded as points, lines, areas, pixels or grid cells. database management system (DBMS) Software designed to data input, retrieval, query, and structure databases. datum "A datum is a set of parameters defining a coordinate system, and a set of control points whose geometric relationships are known, either through measurement or calculation." (Dewhurst, 1990) It controls the position of mapping features in reference to latitude and longitude lines. default The value of a parameter provided for the user by the GIS without user modification. degree It is a unit for measuring angles. It is used to divide the roughly spherical shape of the earth for cartographic or geographic purposes. decompression The process by which compressed data are expanded to the original file size. digitization The process of converting a map into a digital format which could be used by a computer. digitizing table (digitizer) A table with an electronic grid and equipped with a cursor. It could trace (digitize) a paper maps and convert it into a GIS data. download The process of moving a file across a network to the receiving computer. element A geographical unit of information, such as a point, line, area, or pixel. May also be known as an entity.

EMDS Ecosystem Management Decision Support. It is a knowledge base system for ecosystem analysis. equal-area the shape of the continents and directions (north, south, east, west) are distorted, but the size of the continents in relation to one another are correct. equator A line divides the earth into the northern and southern hemisphere. It is the largest circumference of the earth. ESRI Environmental Systems Research Insitute. It is the developer of Arc/Info and ArcView GIS package. export The capability of a GIS software to transfer data from one system to another system. feature A single entity that composes part of a landscape. feature Code A set of characters (alpha, alpha/numeric or numeric) within the GIS, which uniquely identifies a feature class or homogeneous group of features. The following examples are from the TRIM 1:20 000 Mapping Specifications: 33750000 - Wooded Area 25100190 - Paved Road 25000120 - Loose Surface Road (Gravel) file server A computer whose primary function is to store data and make it available on a network as part of a distributed system. GUI Graphical User Interface. The set of visual and mechanical tools through which a user interacts with a computer, usually consisting of windows, menus, icons and pointers. GRASS Geographic Resources Analysis Support System. It is a raster GIS modelling software of the US Army Corp. of Engineers Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (USACERL). geocode A location in geographic space converted into computer-readable form. This means making a digital record of the point's coordinates. geocoding The conversion of analog maps into computer-readable form. Scanning and digitizing are two common methods of geocoding. geodesy The study of the size and shape of the earth and its gravitational and magnetic fields. geographic coordinates

The latitude and longitude coordinate system. geographic(al) information system(GIS) A system of computer hardware, software, and procedures designed to support the capture, management, manipulation, analysis, modeling, and display of spatially referenced data. geo-referencing The process of delimiting a given object in terms of its spatial relationship to the land. It consists of points, lines, areas or volumes defined in terms of coordinate system (usually latitude and longitude, or UTM northings and eastings, and elevation). The background framework pertinent to geo-referencing includes: NTS and BCGS grids and related features. GIS Geographic Information Systems global positioning system (GPS) An US Air-Force-funded system of satellites in orbits that allow their use by a receiver to decode time signals and convert the signals from several satellites to a position on the earth's surface. The distance measurements of at least three satellites are required to fix the receivers position in latitude and longitude. Measurements from a fourth satellite are required to provide vertical (altitude) positioning. gradient (see slope) The constant of multiplication in a linear relationship, that is the rate of increase of a straight line up or down. graduated symbol map A map that varies the size of a common geometric symbol to show the amount of an attribute at points or at centroids of areas. Graphic Interchange Format (GIF) It is a raster graphic data format used on the Internet. graphic tablet A small digitizer (usually 28 cms x 28 cms) used for interactive work with a GIS or CAD/CAM system. grid A grid is a series of equally spaced vertical and horizontal lines drawn on a map. hard copy A copy on paper of a graphics or map image. hemisphere It is the division of the globe into two equal parts -- north and south or east and west. human map A map showing information about how people use the land. image analysis: The processing and interpretation of graphic images held in digital form. import The process of bringing data or software from another system into a system. in-vehicle navigation system A navigation aid allowing the driver of a car, pilot of a plane, or navigator of a boat direct assistance during operation. It combines GPS, onboard digital maps,

GIS functions. Most use outside aids. Those using the sensed motion of the vehicle are called inertial. inset A map within a map. It could be a smaller scale to show relative location or a larger scale to show detail. An inset could have its own set of cartographic elements (such as a scale and graticule). isoline map A map containing continuous lines joining all points of identical value. isobar A line joins points of equal air pressure on a weather map. Isopleth map (Isoline) A map displaying the distribution of an attribute in terms of lines connecting points of equal value; See contour, contrast with Choropleth map. IT Information Technology Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG or JPG) It is a raster data format used on the Internet. Information Technology label Any text cartographic element that adds information to the symbol for a feature on a map. landscape All the features on a map. land parcel A tract of land, being all or part of a legal estate land use map A map showing the human use of the land (forest land, agricultural land, wasteland,... etc.) Landsat A U.S. government satellite program collecting data about the earth's surface in the visible and infra red parts of the spectrum. The multi-spectral scanner (79 meter resolution) and the Thematic Mapper (30 meter resolution) are the two instruments being used. landscape The part of geographic space showable on a map, including all of the features it contains. latitude (parallel) A line parallels to the equator expressed in degrees and minutes layer It is one thematic topic. legend (key) A list explains the symbols on a map. LIS Land Information System Line A basic geographical element, defined by at two pairs of XY coordinates.

link A structure of a database which connects information with attribute information for the same features. longitude (meridian) A line runs at right angles to the equator and meet at the North and South Poles expressed in degrees and minutes. map A hand-drawn or printed document describes the spatial distribution of geographical features. map projection Systematic drawing of lines of a plane surface to represent the latitude and longitude of the earth. magnetic north It is near the true North Pole of the Earth which the needle on a compass points. map algebra The arithmetic of map combination for coregistered layers with rasters of identical size and resolution. map projection A way of showing the surface of the earth as a flat map. Three main types of it: planar, conic and cylindrical. mask A map layer to eliminate areas not needed for mapping and analysis. metadata Data about data. It includes the data, source, map projection, scale, resolution, accuracy, and reliability of the information, as well as data about the format and structure of the data set. modeling The representation of the attributes of the earth's surface in a digital database. mosaicing A GIS feature which zipd and sissolved the edges of maps on the same projection, datum, ellipsoid, and scale. NAD83 The North American Datum was created in 1983 to resolve the inaccuracies of NAD27. It is based upon the earth and satellite observations, using the GRS80 spheroid. A ten-year multinational effort tied together a network of control points for the United States, Canada, Mexico, Greenland, Central America, and the Caribbean. NAD83 GIS data can not be overlayed with NAD27 GIS data. neatline A border line around a map. NOAA The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (part of the Department of Commerce). It is the provider of digital and other maps for navigation, weather prediction, and for physical features of the United States. orthophoto map An image map that is an air photo, corrected for topographic and other effects. A specific type of mapping program, at 1:12,000, by the USGS.

overlay Placing multiple thematic maps in precise registration, with the same scale, projections, and extent, so that a compound view is possible. The process of stacking digital representations of various spatial data on top of each other so that each position in the areas covered can be analyzed. parcel A land surface partition recognized by law for the purpose of ownership. patch A program or data set involves a sequence of data that are to be overwritten onto an older version. physical map A map shows the features of the earth. plan An outline drawing of a place or an object as seen from above. plotter An output device that generates hard copies of computer graphic files (using electrically generated static charges to plot a raster image). polygon A figure representing an area on a map. precision It refers to the level of measurement and exactness of description in a GIS database. projection change Procedure to transfer features from one map projection surface to the corresponding position on another map projection surface. query A set of conditions that forms the basis for the retrieval of information from a database or GIS. raster A data structures for maps based on grid cells. relational DBMS A database management system based on the relational data model. RDBMS Relational Database Management System (see Relational Database) SDTS Standard Data Transfer Standard. In 1994, it became mandatory for federal agencies. satellite A vital source of information to make a map. It is a spacecraft placed in orbit around a planet. scale The relation between the size of an object on a map and its size in the real world. The number of units on the ground shown by one unit on a map. On a 1:120 map, 1 inch represents 120 inches on the ground. Typically shown as a representative fraction or a scale bar. scanner

A device for converting images from maps, photographs, graphics images into digital form. scrubbing The process of preparing data for input to a GIS, intended to eliminate errors. TIGER Topological Integrated Geographic Encoding and Reference System. A map data format based on zero-, one-, and two-cells, used by the US Census Bureau in the street level mapping of the United States (for 1990 Census). sonar It is used to measure distances and pinpoint the position of objects. spatial analysis analytical techniques in related to the study of the location of geographical entities together with their spatial dimensions. spatial data Spatial data are classified as point,line, area, or surface. subseting Creating a new data set from a database that matches certain criteria surveyor A person who carries out surveying. surveying Measuring distances and angles to determine the size shape, position and height of the land. symbol A small graphic on a map that stands for a real feature. tabular data Data in row and column format. theodolite An instrument used by surveyors to measure angles. thematic map A map displaying selected information relating to specific themes. It may be represented as point, lines, polygons, isolines, ...etc. TIN Triangulated Irregular Network topographic map A map shows a limited set of features including about elevations or landforms. Examples are contour maps. It is for navigation and for use as reference maps. topologically clean all connectd arcs or polygons are connected at nodes with the same coordinates without duplicate and disconnection. topology The physical features of a place. transform The process of changing the scale, projection, or orientation of a mapped image. USGS United States Geological Survey is part of the Department of Interior and a major provider of digital map data for the United States.

UTM Universal Transverse Mercator vector A map data structure using the point or node and the connecting segment as the basic building block for representing geographic features. X-Windows A GUI which is built on the Unix operating system. WIMP Four graphical user interface (GUI) tools: windows, icons, menus, and pointers.

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