Architecture of GIS

GIS architecture encompasses the overall design and organization of a Geographic Information System (GIS).
The components of GIS architecture include hardware, software, data, people, and methods.
The architecture determines how these components interact and work together to create an efficient GIS system.
There are two main types of GIS architecture: client-server and web-based architecture.
In client-server architecture, GIS software runs on a server and is accessed by users through client computers.
The server is responsible for data storage, processing, and analysis, while the client is responsible for data visualization and user interaction.
Multiple users can work on the same dataset simultaneously, making it ideal for collaborative work.
In web-based architecture, the GIS software is accessed through a web browser, eliminating the need to install software on local machines.
The GIS data and software are stored on a server and accessed through a web interface, making it ideal for remote work and data sharing.
The hardware component of GIS architecture includes computer systems, storage devices, and input/output devices required to run and manage the GIS system.
The GIS software is the core component of the GIS architecture that enables users to capture, manage, analyze, and visualize geographic data.
The data component of GIS architecture includes various types of spatial and non-spatial data required to create and analyze maps.
The people component of GIS architecture includes GIS professionals, stakeholders, and end-users who use and maintain the GIS system.
The methods component of GIS architecture refers to the various techniques, procedures, and tools used to create, manipulate, analyze, and visualize geographic data.
The GIS architecture provides a framework for integrating the hardware, software, data, people, and methods to create a functional and efficient GIS system that meets the needs of the stakeholders.

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History of GIS

1. 1832 - Early Spatial Analysis in Epidemiology: - Charles Picquet creates a map in Paris detailing cholera deaths per 1,000 inhabitants. - Utilizes halftone color gradients for visual representation. 2. 1854 - John Snow's Cholera Outbreak Analysis: - Epidemiologist John Snow identifies cholera outbreak source in London using spatial analysis. - Maps casualties' residences and nearby water sources to pinpoint the outbreak's origin. 3. Early 20th Century - Photozincography and Layered Mapping: - Photozincography development allows maps to be split into layers for vegetation, water, etc. - Introduction of layers, later a key feature in GIS, for separate printing plates. 4. Mid-20th Century - Computer Facilitation of Cartography: - Waldo Tobler's 1959 publication details using computers for cartography. - Computer hardware development, driven by nuclear weapon research, leads to broader mapping applications by early 1960s. 5. 1960 - Canada Geograph...

Supervised Classification

Image Classification in Remote Sensing Image classification in remote sensing involves categorizing pixels in an image into thematic classes to produce a map. This process is essential for land use and land cover mapping, environmental studies, and resource management. The two primary methods for classification are Supervised and Unsupervised Classification . Here's a breakdown of these methods and the key stages of image classification. 1. Types of Classification Supervised Classification In supervised classification, the analyst manually defines classes of interest (known as information classes ), such as "water," "urban," or "vegetation," and identifies training areas —sections of the image that are representative of these classes. Using these training areas, the algorithm learns the spectral characteristics of each class and applies them to classify the entire image. When to Use Supervised Classification: - You have prior knowledge about the c...

Representation of Spatial and Temporal Relationships

In GIS, spatial and temporal relationships allow the integration of location (the "where") and time (the "when") to analyze phenomena across space and time. This combination is fundamental to studying dynamic processes such as urban growth, land-use changes, or natural disasters. Key Concepts and Terminologies Geographic Coordinates : Define the position of features on Earth using latitude, longitude, or other coordinate systems. Example: A building's location can be represented as (11.6994° N, 76.0773° E). Timestamp : Represents the temporal aspect of data, such as the date or time a phenomenon was observed. Example: A landslide occurrence recorded on 30/07/2024 . Spatial and Temporal Relationships : Describes how features relate in space and time. These relationships can be: Spatial : Topological (e.g., "intersects"), directional (e.g., "north of"), or proximity-based (e.g., "near"). Temporal : Sequential (e....

GIS: Real World and Representations - Modeling and Maps

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) serve as a bridge between the real world and digital representations of geographic phenomena. These representations allow users to store, analyze, and visualize spatial data for informed decision-making. Two key aspects of GIS in this context are modeling and maps , both of which are used to represent real-world geographic features and phenomena in a structured, analyzable format. Let's delve into these concepts, terminologies, and examples in detail. 1. Real World and Representations in GIS Concept: The real world comprises physical, tangible phenomena, such as landforms, rivers, cities, and infrastructure, as well as more abstract elements like weather patterns, population densities, and traffic flow. GIS allows us to represent these real-world phenomena digitally, enabling spatial analysis, decision-making, and visualization. The representation of the real world in GIS is achieved through various models and maps , which simplify...

Accuracy Assessment

Accuracy assessment is the process of checking how correct your classified satellite image is . 👉 After supervised classification, the satellite image is divided into classes like: Water Forest Agriculture Built-up land Barren land But classification is done using computer algorithms, so some areas may be wrongly classified . 👉 Accuracy assessment helps to answer this question: ✔ "How much of my classified map is correct compared to real ground conditions?" Goal The main goal is to: Measure reliability of classified maps Identify classification errors Improve classification results Provide scientific validity to research 👉 Without accuracy assessment, a classified map is not considered scientifically reliable . Reference Data (Ground Truth Data) Reference data is real-world information used to check classification accuracy. It can be collected from: ✔ Field survey using GPS ✔ High-resolution satellite images (Google Earth etc.) ✔ Existing maps or survey reports 🧭 Exampl...

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