GIS stands for geographic information system.

An information system is a
computer program that manages data. A GIS is a type of information
system that deals specifically with geographic, or spatial, information.
The key word to GIS technology is geography. This means that the data, or
at least some proportion of the data, is spatial; or in other words, data is in
some way referred to the locations on earth
A GIS allows users to view, update, query, analyze, combine and
manipulate map data. It can take information from different maps and
tabular sources and register them to a desired base.
Different definitions of GIS given by various organizations are as
follows:
A geographic information system, commonly referred to as a GIS,
is an integrated set of hardware and software tools used for the
manipulation and management of digital spatial (geographic) and
related attribute data.

GIS is an integrated system of computer hardware, software, and

trained personnel linking topographic, demographic, utility, facility,
image and other resource data that is geographically referenced.

From the above definitions, the following observations can be made:

1. GIS database uses geo-references as the primary means of storing and
accessing information.
2. GIS integrates technology.
3. GIS, with its array of functions, should be viewed as a process rather than
as merely software or hardware.
4. GIS can help for making decisions.

The switch from hard copy maps to computerized GIS has provided many
benefits. This system can help to do the following:
1. Store and easily update large amount of data.
2. Sort and store spatial features called entities into thematic layers. Data
are stored in layers so that complex spatial data can be manipulated and
analyzed efficiently by layer, rather than trying to deal with the entire
database at the same time.
3. Zoom into sections of the displayed data to generate additional graphics,
which may be hidden at default scales.
4. Query items of interest to obtain tables of attribute information that may
have been tagged to specific points of interest.
5. Analyze both entities and their attribute data using sophisticated
computer programs.
6. Prepare maps showing selected thematic layers of interest. One can
update maps quickly as new data are assembled.
7. Import stored data (both spatial and non-spatial) electronically from
different agencies, and thus save the costs of collecting data.
8. Use the stored data to prepare maps at different scales, for a wide range
of purposes.
9. Build and augment a database by combining digital data from all the
data-gathering techniques, that is, from surveying, remote sensing, map
digitization, scanning, and from the Internet.
10. Create new maps by modelling or re-interpreting existing data.

1.5.1 Data Input

A data input subsystem allows the user to capture, collect, and transform
spatial and thematic data into digital form. The data inputs are usually
derived from a combination of hardcopy maps, aerial photographs,
remotely sensed images, reports and survey documents.
There are five types of data entry systems commonly used in a GIS:
1. Keyboard entry (manually entering the data at a computer terminal)
2. Coordinate geometry (entering coordinates of surveyed data using a
keyboard)
3. Manual digitizing (widely used method for entering spatial data from
maps)
4. Scanning
5. Input of existing digital files.

A working GIS integrates the following five key components:

1. Hardware
2. Software
3. Data
4. People
5. Methods
1.6.1 Hardware
Hardware is the computer system on which a GIS operates. A GIS
relies on a computer for storage and processing of data. The size of
the computing system will depend on the type and nature of the GIS.
In addition to computers, a variety of other devices can be used to capture
and feed data into the system. Scanners and digitizing tables are used to
scan existing paper maps, charts and drawings into the system. GPS
receivers are used to create map features in the field and transmit the
current location of moving vehicles
1.6.2 Software
GIS software provides the functions and tools needed to store, analyze, and
display geographic information. The core of any GIS system lies in the GIS
software itself, providing the functionality to store, manage, link, query and
analyze geographic data.

1.6.3 Data
The most important component of a GIS is the data. Geographic data and
related tabular data can be collected in-house, compiled to custom
specifications and requirements, or purchased from a commercial data
provider. A GIS can integrate spatial data with other existing data resources
often stored in a corporate DBMS. The integration of spatial data (often
proprietary to the GIS software), and tabular data stored in a DBMS is the
key functionality afforded by a GIS.
Data for a GIS comes in two formsgeographic or spatial data, and
attribute of spatial data. Spatial data are data that contain an explicit
geographic location in the form of a set of coordinates. Attribute data are
descriptive sets of data that contain various information relevant to a
particular location, e.g. depth, height, and sales figures; and can be linked
to a particular location by means of an identifier, e.g. address and zip code.
Sources of spatial data include paper maps, charts, and drawings scanned
or digitized into the system, digital files imported from CAD or other
graphic systems, coordinate data recorded using a GPS receiver and data
captured from satellite imagery or aerial photography.

1.6.4 People
The main objective of a GIS is to support its users with the
appropriate data and decision support tools. Thus careful
 consideration of particular needs of the users must be given at the
design stages of the system, so that each group of users will be given
access to the data and functionality of the system in the most
appropriate way.
1.6.5 Methods
A successful GIS operates according to a well-designed
implementation plan and business rules, which are the models and
operating practices unique to each organization.
The following are the reasons why a GIS is needed:
1. Geospatial data are poorly maintained.
2. Maps and statistics are out of date.
3. Data and information are inaccurate.
4. There is no data retrieval service.
5. There is no data sharing.

Once a GIS is implemented, the following benefits are expected:

1. Geospatial data are better maintained in a standard format.
2. Revision and updating are easier.
3. Geospatial data and information are easier to search, analyze and
represent.
4. More value added products are obtained.
5. Geospatial data can be shared and exchanged freely.
6. Productivity of the staff is improved with more efficiency.
7. Time and money are saved.
8. Better decisions can be made within a short time.
5.6 Geographic Coordinate Systems
Geographic coordinates of positions are always expressed as a
latitude and longitude. The latitude and longitude are related to a
particular earth figure, which may be a sphere for most atlas maps
and imprecise work, but for rigorous purposes, it is a mathematical
figure, which much more closely approximates the shape of the real
earth.
Geographic coordinates may be transformed to grid coordinates, or
projected coordinates of epicentre, or may be transformed to other
geographic coordinates on a different datum.
5.7 Projected Coordinate Systems
Since all map projections attempt to represent the curved surface of
the earth on a flat sheet of paper, there are inevitable distortions in
relative areas, in scale, in shape, or in all three. Although a great
number of different map projections are in general use for atlas and
sheet maps, and there are many others which have been devised to
theoretically provide better representations of the earths surface for
showing particular countries or features, only a limited number have
been adopted for national topographic mapping purposes.