GIS (Geographic Information Systems) is an intelligent map. It is a vector that’s been created to contain parcels and polygons. These are linked to an intelligent database.
Below, you’ll find terminology often used when working with GIS. It’s taken on a whole language of its own and, sometimes, it’s hard to understand it without help. When you need to outsource CAD drafting projects, don’t think twice about calling Indovance. Call us today for a free quote.
GIS Terminology
- Geodetic Datum: A set of parameters defining co-ordinate systems for all or parts of the earth. These datums have been refined and revised over time.
- GPD – Global Positioning Systems: A position-finding system which uses radio receivers to pick up signals from four or more special satellites (there are 24 in orbit) and compute WGS coordinates for the receiver. Accuracy depends on the sophistication of processing and the time available for reception.
- GUI – Graphical User Interface: A method of interaction with a computer which uses pictorial buttons (icons) and command lists controlled by a mouse. It is regarded as simpler and easier to learn than command line interfaces, where commands have to be typed.
- Latitude-Longitude: A spatial reference system for the Earth’s surface. Latitude is an angular measurement N or S of the equator, longitude is an angular measurement E or W.
- Macro: A series of program commands or instructions which are stored in a file and can be recalled when necessary.
- Digitizing: Conversion of existing maps from paper to digital. This is usually in the form of Cartesian co-ordinates.
- DEM – Digital Elevation Model (or Terrain Model): Data model used to represent a topographic surface.
- COGO – Co-ordinate Geometry: Algorithms for handling basic two and three dimensional vector entities built into all surveying, mapping and GIS software.
- Attribute: An item of text, a numeric value or an image that is a characteristic of a particular spatial entity.
- ASCII: American Standard Code for Information Interchange. A standard set of codes which represent alphanumeric characters stored as a single byte value.
- AM/FM Automated Mapping/Facilities Management:. This is a specific application of GIS to the management and production of maps of plant such as cables, pipes, valves etc.
- Address Matching: A geocoding process which matches the street address of property to its location.
- DXF – Digital Exchange Format: A data format defined by Autodesk originally for the transfer of data between CAD systems.
- Gazetteer: A list of spatial entities held in computer form, such as properties or streets, which allows for rapid search and query. The gazetteer often forms the core of larger GIS-based applications such as LIS.
Interested in learning more of the GIS language? Visit back with our next blog post and you’ll find more terms! If you’re more interested in learning about outsourcing engineering services consider working with Indovance!
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