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Data Models in GIS (Part 1)

The document discusses different data models used in GIS, including vector and raster models. It describes how vector models represent points, lines, and polygons using coordinates and attributes. Specific vector models covered include geocoding, spaghetti data models, and problems with representing areas. Raster data models are also mentioned.

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Naveed Hussain
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60 views

Data Models in GIS (Part 1)

The document discusses different data models used in GIS, including vector and raster models. It describes how vector models represent points, lines, and polygons using coordinates and attributes. Specific vector models covered include geocoding, spaghetti data models, and problems with representing areas. Raster data models are also mentioned.

Uploaded by

Naveed Hussain
Copyright
© Public Domain
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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GEO-INFORMATICS (GS-250)

Lecture 6

Data Models in GIS (Part 1)

Muhammad Tariq Khan

1
GIS Data Models
• The real world can only be depicted in a GIS through the use of models that

define phenomena in a manner that computer system can interpret, as well as

perform meaningful analysis.

• You have to show the computer how to think like you do as a map reader.

• Spatial information is presented in two ways as:

- Raster data model,

- Vector data model. 2


GIS Data Models

3
Vector Data Models
• The basis of the vector model is the assumption that the real world can be

divided into clearly defined elements consisting points, lines, or areas.

• In principle, every point on a map and every point in the terrain it represents

is uniquely located using two or three numbers in a coordinate system, such

as in the northing, easting, and elevation.

• Every object is a point or mathematically defined function line like curve of

the road. 4
GEOCODING
• Roads, contour lines, property boundaries, and other data indicated by lines

are usually shown in lines of various widths and colors

• Symbols designate the locations of mosques, airports, and other buildings and

facilities.

• Information on symbol types, line widths, colors, and so on, may be appended

to each thematic code, and various combinations of themes may be drawn.

• Represented on a single Coordinate System 5


GEOCODING
• Point objects may easily be realized in a database because a given number of

attributes and coordinates is associated with each point.

• Line and polygon objects are more difficult to realize in a database because of

the variation in the number of points composing them.

• Object spatial information and object attributes are often stored in different

databases to ease the manipulation of lines and areas.

6
GEOCODING

7
GEOCODING – Storing Points and Lines

8
GEOCODING – Storing Points and Lines
• We can do three things:

1. Store the locational data from the map on a computer.

2. Use this information to reproduce the map.

3. Make simple calculations from the data.

9
GEOCODING – Storing Points and Lines
• We can do three things:

1. Store the locational data from the map on a computer.

2. Use this information to reproduce the map.

3. Make simple calculations from the data.

10
Attribute of Points

11
Attribute of Lines
• Again, the basic table of X Y coordinates for a line is a relatively simple file

which could be stored in a spreadsheet or a database package.

• However, we also want to store attributes for this line.

12
Attribute of Lines

13
Storing Area Object

14
Problems in Storing Area
• The use of centroids means that to store a single area in our GIS, we actually

need to store two things – the line defining the boundary and the point

defining the centroid.

• Because the two lines do not coincide, there are small areas of overlap, and

small gaps between the two areas.

15
Problems in Storing Area
• These mismatches areas are called sliver polygons, because they are usually

very small and thin.

• Some times GIS analysis requires merging of polygon areas.

• This operation is called a polygon dissolve, and is quite common in GIS

analysis.

16
Spaghetti Data Model
• Among many of the commonly used vector based data structure, the spaghetti

data model has the most simple data structure.

• In the spaghetti data model each entity on a map becomes one logical record

in the digital file, and is defined as a string of x, y coordinates.

• Each point, line, or polygon is stored as a record in a file that consists of that

entity’s ID and a list of coordinates that define geometry.

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Spaghetti Data Model

18
Spaghetti Data Model

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Spaghetti Data Model

20
Spaghetti Data Model

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Spaghetti Data Model

• Advantages

- simple

- efficient for display and plotting

• Disadvantages

- inefficient for most types of spatial analysis

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