Introduction to Data Models

and Geodatabases

Steve Gris

UC2008 Pre-conference Seminars

Geodatabases
More closely represent real world objects than previous GIS data
models
Provide a starting point for more sophisticated data models based on
a more natural approach
Rely on geography and rules to define relationships, not just primary
and foreign keys
Users and Programmers dont need to manage atomic data
elements/topology, they manage the objects and relationships instead

UC2008 Pre-conference Seminars

Inside the Geodatabase

Feature dataset
Tables, subtypes
Feature classes, subtypes

Attributes

Polygon
Polygon

Route

Representations

Line
Line

Annotation

Raster datasets

Point
Points

Dimension

Terrain datasets

Annotation

Relationship classes

Network
Network datasets
datasets

Geometric networks

Validation rules

Topology

Default values
Attribute domains
Split/Merge policy

Connectivity rules
Relationship rules
Topology rules

UC2008 Pre-conference Seminars

Geodatabase Options

ArcGIS Server includes ArcSDE

Workgroup Geodatabases
SQL Express

File Geodatabase

ArcGIS
ArcSDE

Fast
Cross Platform

Personal Geodatabase

MS Access
SQL Express

Enterprise
GDB
Workgroup
GDB
Personal
GDB
File
GDB

Embedded
Database Engine
UC2008 Pre-conference Seminars

Geodatabase Datasets

Networks

Surveys

Addresses

Vectors
Annotation

3D Objects
Attributes

Topology

Dimensions
Cadastral

Terrain
Cartography

CAD
Images
UC2008 Pre-conference Seminars

Objects and Object Classes

Objects are entities with properties and behavior.

An object is an instance of an object class.
All objects in an object class have the same properties and behavior.
An object can be related to other objects via relationships.

A row stores an Object

A table stores an ObjectClass

UC2008 Pre-conference Seminars

Features and Feature Classes

Builds on the Relational Model

A feature is a spatial object.
A feature is an instance of a feature class.
Extended the relational model with
Geometry attribute types

A feature class is a table of rows, where

each row has a geographic column

UC2008 Pre-conference Seminars

Geodatabase Supports Advanced Geometry

Points, lines, polygons, text, and surfaces

Single and multipart features
Flexible coordinates
XY, Z, M, True Curves

Continuous coverage (not tiled)

Feature
Featurewith
withmany
manyparts
parts

One
Onerecord
recordin
infeature
featureclass
classtable
table

UC2008 Pre-conference Seminars

Feature Datasets

A container for feature classes

with the same spatial reference
Analogous to a coverage
Less restrictive

Contain geometric networks and

topologies
Optionally relationship classes

Subdivisi
on ParcelCorner
Parcel
ParcelAnno
LotLines
Parcel_Topo
LotDimension
BoundaryLine

UC2008 Pre-conference Seminars

Domains

Describe the legal values of a field type.

Used to ensure attribute integrity

Can be shared among classes

Transfer with the geodatabase
Types of domains:
Range
- A tree can have a height between 0 and 300 feet.
- A road can have between one and eight lanes.

Coded value (e.g., a set)

- A tree can be of type oak, redwood, or palm.
- A road can be made of dirt, asphalt, or concrete.

UC2008 Pre-conference Seminars

10

Subtypes

Partition the objects in a class into like groups.

Defined by the value of a subtype field.
Have the same attribute schema
Have the same behavior schema
Can have different default values and domains for each field
Can define topology rules between subtypes

Descriptions
Descriptions

Codes
Codes

UC2008 Pre-conference Seminars

11

Relationship Classes

An association between two object classes.

A class may participate in multiple relationship classes.

Related objects can message each other.

Origin to destination, destination to origin, both, neither.
Can trigger behavior (cascade delete, move to follow, custom, etc.)

Associate rules with relationship classes.

UC2008 Pre-conference Seminars

12

Annotation

An example of a graphic feature class

Annotation feature classes may be
Feature linked
Non-feature linked

Composite relationship manages link

Can store text as well as other graphics
Lines, arrows, boxes, etc.

Maplex labeling integrated into ArcGIS

Placerville

feature class

composite
relationship class

annotation feature
class

Sacramento
Topanga Canyon

41
43
47
49

21
23
27

41
43
47

92
94

92

Placerville

94

Sacramento

95

95

Topanga Canyon

UC2008 Pre-conference Seminars

13

Dimension Features
Type of annotation that displays specific distances on a map
Graphic features stored in a dimension feature class
Smart feature
Special drawing
Special editing

1 3 /8 "

UC2008 Pre-conference Seminars

14

Object Behavior

Class
extensions
Rules
Subtypes
Domains
Datasets

UC2008 Pre-conference Seminars

15

Role of Data Model Templates

UC2008 Pre-conference Seminars

16

ArcGIS Data Models

Templates for Many Fields

Address
Agricultural
Atmospheric
Base Map
Biodiversity
Building
Interior Spaces
Census-Admin
Boundaries
Defense-Intel
Energy Utilities
Environmental
Fire Service
Forestry
Geology
GIS For The
Nation
Allow
Data type nulls
Object ID
Geometry
Long integer
Long integer
Long integer
Long integer
String
Float
Float
Float
String

Default value

Domain

Precision Scale Length

Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes

Arc Hydro

0
0
0
0
7
0
0
0

0
0
0
50

Table
FishCatch

Relationship class
HaulHasFishCatch
TypeSimple
CardinalityOne to many
Notification None
Origin feature class

NameHaul
Primary key HAULJOIN
Foreign key HAULJOIN

Forward label FishCatch

Backward label Haul

Relationship class
DataSourceHasHaul
Type Simple
Cardinality One to many
Notification None
Origin table

Forw ard label Haul

Backward label DataSource
Destination feature class

NameHaul

No relationship rules defined.

Allow
Data type nulls

Field name
OBJECTID
HAULJOIN
SPECIESCODE
LATINNAME
COMMONNAME
WEIGHTCPUE
NUMBERCPUE

Destination table

NameFishCatch

No relatio nship rules defined.

Name DataSource
Primary key DataSourceID
Foreign key DataSourceID

Geometry Point
Contains M values No
Contains Z values No

Simple feature class

Haul
Field name
OBJECTID
SHAPE
HAULJOIN
VESSELCODE
CRUISE
HAUL
STATION_ID
SSTEMP
BOTTOMTEMP
EFFORT
DataSourceID

Groundwater
Health
Historic Preservation
& Archaeology
Homeland Security
Hydro
IHO - Navigation
Land Parcels
Local Government
Marine
National Cadastre
Petroleum
Pipeline
Telecommunications
Transportation
Water Utilities

Object ID
Long integer
Long integer
String
String
Double
Double

Default value

Domain

No
No
No
No
No
No

Precision Scale Length

0
0
28
21
0
0

0
0

Table
DataSource
Field name
OBJECTID
DESC_
SOURCE
CONTACT
PREC
CREATE_DATE
LAST_UPDATED
DataSourceID

Allow
Data type nulls
Object ID
String
String
String
String
Long integer
Long integer
String

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Default value

Domain

Precision Scale Length

35
35
20
20
0
0
50

. . . Help Users Get Started

. . . Support Standards

UC2008 Pre-conference Seminars

17

Architectural Direction n Tier, Server-Based

3-D
Viewers

Presentation
Tier
(multiple
viewers)

COP
2-D
Viewers

Network/Enterprise Service Bus

Catalog
Services

Globe
Services

GeoImageMap &
Processing Processing
Chart
Services
Services
Services

Open
Web
Services

Tracking
Services

Serving/
Publishin
g
Tier

Authorin
g
Tier
UC2008 Pre-conference Seminars

18