DATA MODELS

&
MANGEMENT- I
Outlines
 Introduction
 Raster Data
 Vector Data
 Raster and Vector Structures
 Raster and Vector Advantages and
Disadvantages
Introduction
 Geographic Data and Information are
the heart of GIS.

 Two fundamental components of

geographic data: space (expressed as
spatial data) and qualities (attributes).

 Both of these are stored in database.

Data and Information
Definitions

 Information is the primary purpose of

GIS, not just data.

 Data is the input; information is the

output.
 Types of data
Spatial non-spatial

Maps Schematic diagrams

Images Oblique photographs

Videography Films

KT1 2EE Postcodes/ZIP codes Financial statements

RH8 9AA £12,000 23.45 56789
SW1P 3AD £23,456 12.45 23456
£45,987 29.57 87634

5
 Introduction

 Spatial data in GIS has two primary data

formats: raster and vector.

 Raster uses a grid cell structure, whereas

vector is more like a drawn map.
 Spatial Data: Vector format

Vector data are defined spatially:

(x1,y1)
Point - a pair of x and y coordinates

vertex
Line - a sequence of points
Node

Polygon - a closed set of lines

 Raster and Vector Data
Raster data are described by a cell grid, one value per cel
Vector Raster

Point

Line
Zone of cells
Polygon
 Raster and Vector Data

 Vector format has points, lines, polygons that appear

normal, much like a map.

 Raster format generalizes the scene into a grid of

cells, each with a code to indicate the feature being
depicted. The cell is the minimum mapping unit.

 Raster has generalized reality: all of the features in

the cell area are reduced to a single cell identity.
 Raster and Vector Data
Models
 Raster: because the raster cell’s value or code
represents all of the features within the grid, it does
not maintain true size, shape, or location for
individual features. Even where “nothing” exists (no
data), the cells must be coded.

 Vector: vectors are data elements describing

position and direction. In GIS, vector is the map-like
drawing of features, without the generalizing effect
of a raster grid. Therefore, shape is better retained.
Vector is much more spatially accurate than the
raster format.
Raster Data

 Raster Coding
 Resolution
 Gridding and Linear Features
 Raster Precision and Accuracy
Raster Coding

 In the data entry process, maps can be digitized

or scanned at a selected cell size and each cell
assigned a code or value.

 The cell size can be adjusted according to the

grid structure or by ground units, also termed
resolution.

 There are three basic and one advanced scheme

for assigning cell codes.
 Raster Coding

 Presence/Absence: is the most basic method and to record a

feature if some of it occurs in the cell space.

 Cell Center: involves reading only the center of the cell and
assigning the code accordingly. Not good for points or lines.

 Dominant Area: to assign the cell code to the feature with the
largest (dominant) share of the cell. This is suitable primarily
for polygons.

 Percent Coverage: a more advanced method. To separate

each feature for coding into individual themes and then assign
values that show its percent cover in each cell.
Raster Coding Problems

 Raster coding produces spatial

inaccuracies.
Raster Coding Problems
 One possible solution is to increase the
resolution by increasing the number of
cells, making each one smaller and
therefore more sensitive to accurate
classification.
 Raster Mapping

 A major problem with the raster structure is that

the shape of features is forced into an artificial grid
cell format.

 For right-angled features, such as square

agricultural fields or rectangular political districts,
this may not present a major problem. However,
for many features, size and shape can become
undesirably distorted.
 Resolution

 Increasing the number of cells on a data set

increases spatial resolution, which helps to
increase spatial accuracy.

 One advantage to using relatively few cells

is the short processing time and ease of
analysis.
 Gridding and Linear
Features
 Low-resolution raster results in a rather
generalized and crude shape.

 High-resolution raster shape appears more

realistic, though still a long way from the
vector shape and spatial accuracy.
 Raster Precision and
Accuracy
 Questions of raster data precision (the exact location) and
accuracy (maximum spatial truth) are often a problem.

 Because the raster cell is the maximum resolution and the

minimum mapping unit, there is no way to know exactly where
small feature occurs.

 Smaller cells have less spatial error because the area of doubt is
smaller.

 Uncertainty becomes greater when measuring across cells.

 Area measurement are also generalized.

 Vector Data

 Vector features appear more realistic than

raster features and have better spatial
accuracy.

 Vector features are defined primarily by their

shapes, more specifically by the outline of
their shapes. In GIS, the vector system is a
coordinate-based data structure.
 Vector Data

 Shape points are the ends and bends that define the feature’s
outline.

 At the beginning and end of every line or polygon feature is a

node.

 At each bend (change of direction) is a vertex (plural: vertices).

 Node are end points and vertices are between, defining the
shape.

 Point features are standalone nodes.

 Vector Data

 Chains connect the shape points to draw the feature’s outline.

 Chains are vectors or data structure paths that are not part of
the actual stored data elements; they are not real lines, but
define and present the connection between shape points.

 Vector system data files store only the coordinate of each node
and vertex; the hardware draws the connecting chain
segments. It is virtual component.

 The vector data structure is also known as an arc-node model

because it uses chains (arcs) and end points (nodes).
 Raster and Vector
Structures
 Raster and vector structure have different
methods of storing and displaying spatial
data.

 Raster cells are stored and displayed as

cells, but in the vector format only the nodes
and vertices are stored. This results in
considerable data storage differences.
 Raster and Vector
Structures
 A point in a raster system is a single cell, but in a vector
system it is only a node represented by a symbol with its
coordinate position noted.

 A simple line in a raster system consists of a sequence of

cells. In a vector system, a simple line consists of two nodes
and a chain that connects them.

 A more complex raster line consists of connected cells,

sometimes in stair-step fashion when they are diagonal.
Complex lines in the vector format have vertices to mark
changes in direction, with nodes at each end.
 Raster and Vector
Structures
 Raster polygons are filled with cells. For
single polygons, the vector format usually
has a single node and several vertices to
mark the boundary direction changes.

 Connected polygons are simply two blocks

of cells in the raster format, but in vector
they share a common border and some
common nodes.
 Raster to Vector Conversion

 There are at least four basic reasons to convert from

raster to vector:
(1) better visual appearance of vector features;
(2) some plotter work only on vector data;
(3) comparison with vector data is best when both
data files have identical formats;
(4) some GIS systems have vectors as the central
operating data structure.
 Rasterization of vector data is often called gridding.
 Raster Advantages

 A relatively simple data structure;

 The simple grid structure makes analysis easier.

 The computer platform can be “low tech” and inexpensive.

 Remote sensing imagery is typically obtained in raster format.

 Modeling is the creation of a generalized data file or a set of

universal procedures to accomplish a certain GIS task.
 Raster Disadvantages

 Spatial inaccuracies

 Because each cell tends to generalize a landscape, the result

is relatively low resolution compared to the vector format.

 Because of spatial inaccuracies caused by data

generalization, a raster format cannot tell precisely what
exists at a given location.

 Each cell must have a code, even where nothing exists.

 Vector Advantages

 In general, vector data is more map-like.

 Is very high resolution.

 The high resolution supports high spatial accuracy.

 Vector formats have storage advantages.

 The general public usually understands what is shown on

vector maps.

 Vector data can be topological.

 Vector Disadvantages

 May be more difficult to manage than raster formats.

 Require more powerful, high-tech machines.

 The use of better computers, increased management needs,

and other considerations often make the vector format more
expensive.

 Learning the technical aspects of vector system is more

difficult than understanding the simplicity of the raster
format, particularly when topology is introduced.
 GIS Data Characteristics

 Location, or position, is a major staring point of

spatial measurement. Location can be descriptive,
or uses a “Lat-Lon” system.

 Size characteristics: Polygon: area and perimeter;

Lines: length.

 Shape: an important descriptive element used in

map and image interpretation. The shape of a
feature often indicates its identity and role on the
landscape.
 GIS Data
Characteristics
 Point features have no real shape or spatial
dimension, only the position of objects or
occurrences. They are represented by symbols,
such as dots, geometric shapes, or icons.

 A line feature has length from beginning to end.

 Polygon features have a wide variety of shapes,

from easily interpreted circles and squares to
complicated shapes that defy description.
Spatial Data Relationships
 Spatial relationships are how features
relate to each other in space.

 It includes distance, distribution,

density, and pattern.
 Spatial Data Relationships

 Distance from one feature to another is an

elementary but important relationship. It is
available through simple measurement.

 Distribution is the collective location of features;

the geographic dispersal or range. There are two
basic ways of perceiving distribution: features
among themselves and their spatial relationship
with other features.
 Spatial Data Relationships

 Density is the number of items per unit

area; how close features are to each other.

 Pattern is the consistent arrangement of

features, similar to (and can include)
distribution and density.
The Data Model
 Geographical variation in the real world is
infinitely complex. Therefore, we require a set
of rules (‘the data model’) to convert real
geographical variation into discrete objects.

 ‘A set of guidelines for the representation of

the logical organisation of the data in a
database … (consisting) of named logical units
of data and the relationships between them.’
 The GIS Model: example
e
tud

roads
lati

Here we have three layers or themes:

longitude --roads,
--hydrology (water),
--topography (land elevation)
e
tud

They can be related because precise geographic

coordinates are recorded for each theme.
lati

hydrology Layers are comprised of two data types

•Spatial data which describes location (where)
longitude •Attribute data specifing what, how much,when

Layers may be represented in two ways:

e

•in vector format as points and lines

tud

topography •in raster(or image) format as pixels

lati

All geographic data has 4 properties:

longitude projection, scale, accuracy and resolution
 Types of data model

The Raster Model The Vector Model

Equivalent of a Attempts to represent

continuous grid covering objects as exactly and
the surface, whereby precisely as possible by
each cell in the grid storing points, lines
represents a square on (arcs) and polygons
the ground. (areas) in a continuous
co-ordinate space
Raster-Vector Data Model

Raster

Vector

Real World
Representing Data with Raster and
Vector Models

Raster Model
 area is covered by grid with (usually) equal-
sized, square cells
 attributes are recorded by assigning each cell a
single value based on the majority feature
(attribute) in the cell, such as land use type.
 Image data is a special case of raster data in
which the “attribute” is a reflectance value
from the geomagnetic spectrum
 cells in image data often called pixels
(picture elements)
Representing Data with Raster and
Vector Models
 Vector Model
The fundamental concept of vector GIS is that all
geographic features in the real work can be
represented either as:
 points or dots (nodes): trees, poles, fire
plugs, airports, cities
 lines (arcs): streams, streets, sewers,
 areas (polygons): land parcels, cities,
counties, forest, rock type
Vector and Raster Models in
GIS

Representation of
Lines

Raster

Vector
TOPOLOGY (for vector
data)
 What is topology?
 Why is important?
 Three types of topological models in GIS
 Spatial operations of topology
 Contiguity
 Connectivity
 Trade-offs of topological structure
 Application model
 Triangular Irregular Network (TIN):Vector-based
GIS
Spatial features and spatial
relationships
 Spatial features in maps
 Points, lines and polygons
 Human being interprets additional
information from maps about the
spatial relationships between
features
 A route trace from an airport to a house
 Land contiguity adjacent to streets along
which the lands are located
The definition of Topology
 The spatial relationships can be interpreted
 identification of connecting lines along a path
 definition of the areas enclosed within these
lines
 identification of contiguous areas
 In digital maps, these relationships are
depicted using ‘Topology’
 Topology = A mathematical procedure for
explicitly defining spatial relationship
 Topology is the description of how the spatial
objects are related with spatial meaning
Topological data models
 Three types of topological concepts
 Arc, Node and polygon topologies
 Arc
 Arcs have directions and left and right polygons
(=contiguity)
 Node
 Nodes link arcs with start and end nodes
(=connectivity)
 Polygon
 Arcs that connect to surround an area define a
polygon (=area definition)
 Terms and concepts

Connectivity - from and to nodes

Contiguity - Polygon Enclosure
Adjacency - from Direction To
Node

Ar Right
Left
c Polygon
Polygon

From
Node
Spatial operations of
topology
 Connectivity and contiguity (Aronoff, 1989)
 A basic, but core spatial analysis operations in GIS
 Contiguity
 A biologist might be interested in the habitats that
occur next to each other
 A city planner might be interested in zoning conflicts
such as industrial zones bordering recreation areas
 Connectivity
 Transportation network, telecommunication systems,
river systems
 To find optimum routings or most efficient delivery
routes or the fastest travel route
 To predict loading at critical points in a river channel
 To estimate water flow at a bridge crossing that will
result from heavy flood
Trade-offs of topology
 Advantages
 Spatial data is stored more efficiently
 Analysis process faster and efficient for large
data sets
 By topological relationships, we can perform
spatial analysis functions,
 Modelling flow through the connection of lines in
a network (i.e. buffering)
 Combining adjacent polygons with similar
characteristics (i.e. spatial merge)
 Overlaying geographical features (i.e. spatial
overlay)
Disadvantages
 Extra cost and time
 creating topological structure does impose a
cost
 Topology should be always updated when a new
map or existing map is updated
 Additional batch job working
 To avoid the extra efforts, GIS systems need to
run a batch job (i.e. a process that can be run
without user interactions); 70% of total GIS
costs
 Autoexec.bat in DOS
 Macro languages such as AML (Arc/Info), Avenue
(ArcView), MapBasic (MapInfo) and etc
Conclusions of topology
 When topology is created, we can
identify
 Know its positions of spatial features
 Know what is around it
 Understand its geographical
characteristics by virtue of recognising
its surroundings
 Know how to get from A to B
Thank You