GIS Data Structures

How do we represent the world in a GIS database?

Basic Data Structures for GIS 1. Vector 2. Raster 3. TIN (triangulated irregular network) 4. Tabular Information (attribute table)

Vector Data Structure

polygons lines

Vector Data Structure

In vector data layers, the feature layer is linked to an attribute table. Every individual feature corresponds to one record (row) in the attribute table.

About Image Files

• Image files contain no data • They are the background • You can create data based on images • Not considered a “data” structure

Raster Data Structure (Grid)

Raster Data Structure A raster grid can store values that represent categories, for example, vegetation type The basic grid attribute table has a value count field and The value field has a code or some real number representing information about the grid cell. In this case it is a code for vegetation.

The count field shows how many grid cells have that same value.

Raster Data Structure A raster grid can store values that represent categories, for example, vegetation type A grid table can also have additional information, in this case the name of the vegetation type. But is always has the value and count fields.

Raster Data Structure Grids can also store continuous values like elevation

Raster Data Structure Elevation grid for area north of Kirkuk, Iraq From space shuttle radar topography mission (SRTM) Zoom in and you see the grid cells These are called: Digital Elevation Models (DEM)

Raster Data Structure So 2 ways of representing elevation: Vector contour lines Raster grid

Raster Data Structure Sources of raster data Interpreted satellite imagery, e.g., land cover Conversion of vector to raster data

Raster Data Structure Sources of raster data Spatial analysis performed on vector data A density grid derived from the same crime data – interpolation of point data over a continuous surface A point layer of crime reports

Raster Data Structure Sources of raster data Although an digital aerial photo is in raster format, it has no data.

Raster Data Structure

Raster and Vector Data Structures

Raster data are described by a cell grid, one value per cell

Vector Raster Point Line Polygon

Zone of cells

Vector Raster • Features with discrete shapes and boundaries (e.g., street, land ownership parcel, well) • Database management • Database query and reporting • Network analysis • High quality maps • Continuous surfaces with fuzzy boundaries or with qualities that change gradual over space (e.g., soil, land cover, vegetation, pollution) • Spatial analysis and modeling (e.g., agricultural suitability)

TIN Data Structure A 3 rd data structure for representing surfaces: Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN)

TIN Data Structure Elevation points connected by lines to form polygons that contain topographic information

TIN Data Structure Elevation points connected by lines to form polygons that contain topographic information

TIN Data Structure

TIN Data Structure

3 GIS Spatial Data Structure Types

Attribute table Attribute Data Structure “Flat File” with columns and rows Row = geographic feature record Column = attribute field (item of information about a feature)

Attribute field general types

• Numeric (integer or decimals) • Text (string) • Date • Blob (binary large object)

Topology

When you edit features in an electric utility system, you want to be sure that the ends of primary and secondary lines connect exactly and that you are able to perform tracing analysis on that electric network.

Features need to be connected using specific rules.

Network Topology

Planar topology

Property parcels of land must adjoin each other exactly, without gaps or overlaps. This two dimensional graph is called a

planar topology

.

Topological relationships The relationships that do not change if you imagine a map being on a rubber sheet and you pull and stretch the rubber sheet in different directions.

Vector and TIN data can have topological structure.

Raster and images can not have a topological structure.

For your project

• What data layers • Vector, raster, TIN, image?

• Topological structure (network connectivity or planar topology)?

• Attributes?

• Minimum required accuracy?

Should a data layer be topologically structured?

Some objects are non-topological and can be freely placed in a geographic area. Examples?

Many objects are primarily stored in a GIS for the purpose of background display on a map, so it is usually not necessary to store them in a topological format.

If roads are a background layer in your GIS, they will probably be simple features. If roads are part of an analysis of a transportation system , they should be topological features.

ArcGIS Major Data Formats

• Shape files • Coverages (Arc/Info) • Geodatabases

Shape files Shape files can be created with ArcView software.

Arc/Info Coverages Coverages are an older data structure in which topology could be modeled.

You will still find many data sets in Arc/Info coverage data formats.

But for new data, you should use geodatabase formats.

Geodatabases Geodatabases can be created with ArcGIS 8.x and 9.x

Geodatabases give you more power to specify rules for features and structure topology

Summary

• 3 Spatial Data Structure Types in GIS – Vector – Raster – TIN • Attribute Data Structure – Tables of columns and rows • Topology – needed for spatial data to “know” where other data is