GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM

VISHALI.K

ASSIGNMENT 1

1. What is GIS Data Model

Ans: A GIS data model represents real world features and phenomena in a
numeric form coded in a particular way so as to be supported in a GIS and other
mapping applications in computers. In order to interpret the geographic data, it
should be encoded in a digital form and organised as a digital geographic
database that creates the perception of the real world similar to the perception
created by the paper maps.

2. Describe Object Based Model

Ans: In an Object based model, the objects are treated to be filled by discrete
and identifiable objects, wherein the objects are spatial features have identifiable
boundaries, have a relevance to some intended application and can have one or
more characteristic features known as attributes.

3. Explain Entity relationship Model

Ans: The E-R technique is a graphical method of representing entities of a
GIS database, relationships between the entities, and all attributes of
either entities or relationships which must be captured in the database.

4. Explain Raster and Vector Data Structure in GIS

Ans: RASTER DATA STRUCTURE: The term raster implies a regularly spaced
grid consists of rows and columns of cells (or pixels). In this format a single value
is stored against each cell.
VECTOR DATA STRUCTURE: Vectors are graphical objects that have
geometrical primitives such as points, lines and polygons to represent
geographical entities in the computer graphics.
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5. List out the basic requirements of Topological Data Structures

Ans: Requirements can be classified into three broad categories:
• Data modelling, upload and validation – functionality relating to the
topological modelling, processing and structuring of data into topological
primitives
• Standard analysis – relating to the analytical querying of data once it
has been structured in topological format
• Other custom analysis – relating to applications utilising the data
structured into other specific topological models

6. Explain Modelling Surfaces with examples

Ans: GIS can create and store four basic surface models namely;
(a) raster,
(b) triangulated irregular network (TIN),
(c) terrain datasets, and
(d) LAS datasets

7. Explain how the DEM is represented in Raster and Vector Approach

Ans: Digital Elevation Model is a data model which represents the surface of a
terrain in 3 dimensions. DEM can be represented as a raster or as TIN.The TIN
DEM dataset is also referred to as a primary DEM or measured DEM. Raster
DEM is referred to as secondary DEM or computed DEM.

8. What are the advantages of TIN Model

Ans: (i) TIN’s give researchers the ability to view 2.5D and 3D at an area that
was interpolated from minimal data collection.
(ii) Users can describe a surface at different levels of resolution based on the
points that were collected.
(iii) TIN interpolation gives GIS users greater analytical capabilities. TIN models
are easy to create and use.
(iv) They provide users a simplified model that represents collected data points.
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(v) Using a TIN surface in conjunction with ArcMap extensions such as Spatial
Analysis and 3D Analyst, TIN users can also derive slope, aspect, elevation,
contour lines, hillshades, etc.

9. Explain Modelling Networks in GIS

Ans: Triangular Irregular Network, which is a vector approach to handling a
digital elevation model. TIN’s are used to interpolate surfaces using multiple
triangles.
TIN’s are able to interpolate surfaces by selecting representative points that are
usually data points. TIN’s connect these points to form a set of continuous and
connected triangles.
The data points consist of X, Y and Z values. The final result gives users a TIN
surface.

10. What is meant by ODBC

Ans: Open database connectivity is a standard database access method
developed by the SQL Access group in 1992. The goal of ODBC is to
make it possible to access any data from any application, regardless of
which database management system (DBMS) is handling the data. ODBC
manages this by inserting a middle layer, called a database driver ,
between an application and the DBMS. The purpose of this layer is to
translate the application's data queries into commands that the DBMS
understands. For this to work, both the application and the DBMS must be
ODBC-compliant -- that is, the application must be capable of issuing
ODBC commands and the DBMS must be capable of responding to them.