Gis Datastruct
Gis Datastruct
There are three common representations of spatial data, used in GIS, namely: Vector, raster and
triangulated. Each representation has merits and is suited for particular kinds of information and
analysis.
Vector data
This is also called Feature data. Shapefiles are ArcView's native file format for geographic
features and attribute data. ArcView can also display Arc/Info Coverages, which comprises a
more complex representation of vector data. Vector comprise the following:
Point - a pair of x and y coordinates.
Line - a sequence of points
Polygon - a closed set of lines
Attribute information is stored in Feature Tables.
Grid Data
A grid is a rectangular mesh of square cells. Each cell has a single value that can be either an
integer or a decimal number. This number may represent the average value of the cell or the
value at the cell's center for the variable described by the grid.
A grid is defined by its:
Number of rows
Number of columns
Cell size
(X,Y) coordinates of the origin (the lower left corner)
Symbol for NODATA
1
The TIN data structure is defined by two elements: a set of input points with x,y, and z values,
and a series of edges connecting these points to form triangles. Each input point becomes the
node of a triangle in the TIN structure, and the output is a continuous faceted surface of triangles.
The elevation value for any location on a TIN surface can be interpolated using the x,y, and z
values of the bounding triangle's nodes. Additional information, like slope, aspect, and surface
area, can be calculated for each triangle face.
2
If you do not already have a workspace when you create a grid, ArcView GIS automatically
creates one for you. It will make an info subdirectory and create a grid subdirectory with all its
corresponding data files.
Because each grid data set has related data files in the info subdirectory, deleting a grid
subdirectory with an operating system command does not remove all of that grid's data files. You
should use the Grid Data Source Manager to copy, delete, or rename grids.
Shapefiles comprise three of more files with the same name, but different extensions. The
extensions are *.shp, *.dbf and *.shx. Sometimes there are also files *.sbn and *.sbx. When
copying or renaming shapefiles rename all the files, or use the Data Source Manager. The *.dbf
file is a standard database format that can be read using spreadsheet software like Excel.