REVIEW QUESTION (CHAPTER 1)

Question 1

What was the initial impetus for the development of the first GIS? Why was it so difficult to
develop in the first place?

The initial impetus for the development of the first GIS is come from department of forestry and
rural development of Canada when they decided to pursue a large-scale project to manage the
resource for much of their territory.

It is so difficult to develop GIS in the first place because it requires enormous amounts of data
gathering, compilation, evaluation, analysis, and modeling.

Question 2

Provide a description of the change in geographic thought from pure exploration through
to prediction and planning. Describe the place of GIS in this context.

 A description of the change in geographic thought:

 The potential users of GIS are nearly limitless and the types and numbers of
users are growing at a logarithmic pace.

 Describe the place of GIS in this context:

The place of GIS Description

Fire department Enhance their routing capabilities to ensure rapid response in
emergencies.
The military To determine appropriate battle plans and to organize troop
movements
Cellular phone To provide the best services for a mobile costumer base
companies
 Local government Employ GIS to develop growth and development plans and to
modify zoning regulations to account for increasing population
pressures.
Businesses To market products and event t develop mailing lists based on
selected spatial criteria.
Real estate companies To isolate available housing on the basis of costumer criteria.
Police department To compile information to characterizes the movements and
operational settings of suspected serial killers.

Question 3

What is a GIS? How does your definition differ from that offered by David Rhind? Why are
there so many names for geographic information system?

GIS is the tool that allow for the processing of spatial data into information, generally information
tied explicitly to, and used to make decision about, some portion of the earth.

David Rhind defined GIS as a computer system for collecting, checking, integrating and analyzing
information related to the surface of the earth but some experienced GIS user believed that the
primary objectives of GIS is act as a tool for analyzing data about the portions of the earth.

There are so many names for geographic information system because of the lack of accepted
definition has resulted in many gross misconceptions about GIS.
Question 4

a) What is the relationship between the traditional map and its automated counterpart?

Spatial data stored in digital format in a GIS allows for rapid access for traditional maps as well
as innovative purposes. However, maps still remain an excellent way to compiling spatial
information, example field survey.

b) What are the relationship among the four subsystems in GIS and the map?

For data input subsystem, data collection sources are the same as those used for traditional mapping
but now also include wide variety of digital sources such as digital line graph (DLGs). For the
second subsystem that is the storage and retrieval subsystem, the map itself is the storage and
retrieval pool. Points, lines and all that had been placed on the cartographic document are stored
there. Next is the data manipulation and analysis subsystem where the map is a fundamental tool
for the analysis of spatially related data. Lastly, the reporting subsystem that displays all or part of
the database in tabular, graphic or map form.

Question 5

What is the difference between GIS and CAC? Between GIS and CAD?

i. What is the difference between GIS and CAD?

Usually CAD is used to design new object that have not existed in the world before while GIS is
used to build a model of the world as it exists, including its history, to understand, analyses and
manage resources and facilities. The data set necessary to represent the world, with enormously
larger and more complex than the data set necessary to represent new products. We can see the
major differences between CAD and GIS there. However, the topology in both cases may well
be very similar.

GIS CAD
Geometry is scanned, digitized or surveyed. Geometry is primarily constructed by a
draftsman.
 Geometry contains virtually with no horizontal Geometry contains many horizontal and
or vertical lines and, apart from right angles, vertical lines. Lines at regular angles are
other regular angles are rare common.
Some GIS do not even have a way of Circular arcs and curves are essential.
representing a curve, despite their frequent
occurrence in urban areas.
Polygon may have many thousands of vertices. Typical polygon has few vertices, often four.
Layout bears a close resemblance to the real Schematic drawings, used to represent
world. electrical circuitry, are extremely stylized

ii. The different between GIS and CAC.

CAC system, computer system designed to create maps from geographical object combined with
descriptive attribute are excellent for display but generally lack analytical capability of GIS.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Computer Aided Cartography Software

(CAC)
Presentation of modelled real-world elements. Representations of objects by symbols.
Concept of topology is essential for the Graphical presentation only.
modelling of objects.
Strict use of layer technique, e.g. The system Layer techniques with special cartographic
prevents custom representations of bridge and options, e.g. For the presentation of bridges or
underpass. underpasses.
The meaning of objects is defined by the The meaning of objects is defined by their
attributes in a database. symbolization.
Manipulation and analysis functions. 2d visualisation and configuration options.
No generalisation of input data. Generalisation and cartographic presentation
of input data.
 Integration of raster layers, switching between Simple to use (mainly desktop publishing
the different models maybe possible. programs.
Simple printing and plotting options only. Raster layers combined with vector layers.
Complex to use. Output options conceived for high quality
print.

Question 6

Create a diagram of the hierarchy if information systems and place GIS in its proper place
in that hierarchy.

Information
system

Spatial Nonspatial

Nongeographic Management
GIS systems
CAD/CAM

Other GIS LIS

Socioeconomic Non-parcel based

Parcel based
Census Bereau

Figure 1
 Board of Country Commissioners

Country Administrator

Central Service Devision

Information Services Records

GIS

Manager

Analyst 1 Analyst 2

Specialist 1 Specialist 2

Software Remote
Engineer Sensing

Address Geobase
Coord Coord

Figure 2
Question 7

What are the basic analytical capabilities that one would normally find in a modern GIS?

1. Uses the power of the computer to measure, compare and describe contents of the
database.
2. Allows ready access to the raw data and allows aggregation and reclassification for
further analysis.

Question 8

Who would normally use a GIS? What accounts for its popularity?

Today the potential users of GIS are nearly limitless, and the types and number of users are
growing as increasing recognition of the need to perform large scale mapping and map analysis
operations for a wide variety of traditionally manual task. Foresters need to keep an up-to-date
inventory of their timber resources see GIS as an efficient management tool for their day-to-day
operations. Fire departments need a GIS to enhance their routing capabilities to ensure rapid
response in emergencies. The military use GIS to determine the strategies for battle and also to
organize troop movements. Cellular phone companies wanted to give the best service for a mobile
customer base by avoid conflicts with neighbors and allow clear line of sight for signal
transmission. Real estate companies use GIS to isolate available housing on the basis of customer
criteria. Police departments using GIS to compile information to characterize the movements and
operational settings of suspected series killers.