Fundamentals of GIS Exam Review-
Graded A
The first GIS - ANSWER-Was created in 1963 by Roger Tomlinson for the Canadian
Government
GIS vs CAD (Computer Aided Design Program) - ANSWER-1. CAD does not have the
spatial capabilities of GIS.
2. CAD does not have database management systems.
Geographic problems revolve around... - ANSWER-1. Scale
2. Purpose
3. Time
What is GISc (Geographic Information Science)? - ANSWER-The theory behind the
development, use, and application of GIS.
What are the 5 components of GIS? - ANSWER-1. Hardware
2. Software
3. Data
4. People
5. Methods
What are the 3 main views of GIS? - ANSWER-1. Map view: cartographic elements.
2. Database view: a database is created with geographical data, you can ask this data
questions.
3. Model view (AKA tool view): Different functionality and tools.
What 4 ways can spatial data be stored? - ANSWER-1. In layers
2. As features
3. In vector and raster format
4. With associated databases
Spatial Data Infrastructure - ANSWER-The infrastructure that facilitates the integration
of data in a variety of formats from multiple sources. It's designed to be invisible, easy to
use, reliable, multipurpose, widespread, and flexible.
Metadata - ANSWER-Data about the data
GIS can help us determine: - ANSWER-1. Locations
2. Patterns
,3. Trends
4. Conditions
5. Implications
What are the 5 methods of in situ (in person) data collection? - ANSWER-1. Plane
Table (traditional)
2. Total Station
3. Smart Station
4. Census
5. Sampling
Total Station
(In situ data collection method #2) - ANSWER-Uses a theodolite to measure distance
electronically with a laser to level the horizontal plane. It's accurate to a few mm at
1000m. Uses local or federal markers (monuments).
Smart Station
(In situ data collection method #3) - ANSWER-Uses a GPS-enabled stadia rod
Census
(In situ data collection method #4) - ANSWER-"systematic collection of information
about all of the members of a greater population".
In Canada this is conducted every 5 years, there is debate about the long-form vs short-
form census. Your postal code is one of the most important elements because it is
associated with your latitude and longitude.
Sampling
(In situ data collection method #5) - ANSWER-Related to census, "Procedure
concerned with the selection and subset of individuals from within a population to infer
some knowledge about the whole population to make predictions".
GPS (Global Positioning Systems) - ANSWER-A global navigation satellite system
(GNSS) developed by the US dept of defence (1960). NAVSTAR is the only fully
functioning GNSS in the world. A constellation of between 24-32 medium Earth orbit
satellites that transmit precise radio wave signals, which allow GPS receivers (on the
ground) to determine latitude and longitude.
Taking back our neighbourhoods (United Way) - ANSWER-Evaluation of 3 Censuses
worth of data, mapped for all of Windsor-Essex County. Report calls for Strategically
Targeted Over-Investment in priority neighbourhood to kick start sustainable
revitalization. Looking at new ways to combat neighbourhood poverty based on best
practices from other communities.
Raster Georeferencing - ANSWER-Raster data have to be georeferenced to relate them
with other spatial datasets.
, Rasters are referenced using a coordinate system that is related to the number of rows
and columns in the layer.
4 types of raster data structure - ANSWER-1. Simple rasters
2. Run-length encoding/Block coding
3. Chain coding
4. Quadtrees
Run Length Encoding:
(raster data compaction) - ANSWER-Reduces data volume on a row by row basis.
Stores a single value where there are several cells of a given type in a group, rather
than storing a value for each individual cell.
Block Coding:
(raster data compaction) - ANSWER-Extends run-length encoding approach to 2
dimensions by utilizing groups of square blocks to store data.
Chain Coding:
(raster data compaction) - ANSWER-Directional, reduction is based on the boundary of
the entity/feature.
The boundary in this case is defined as the sequence of unit cells starting from and
returning to a given origin.
The direction of travel around the boundary is usually given a number or letter system
(0=North, 1=East, 2=South, etc.)
Vector to Raster Data Conversion: - ANSWER-If cell size is increased too much
accuracy is lost, try to keep your resolution as high as possible.
Raster to Vector Data Conversion: - ANSWER-There may now be thousands of
polygons, if they are not accurate there will be a lot of errors.
Database - ANSWER-Organized collection of structured information, or data, typically
stored electronically in a computer system.
Why use a database?
(7 reasons) - ANSWER-1. Data is in one location, therefore reducing redundancy.
2. If data is organized, maintenance costs and data duplication are reduced.
3. Data can evolve in a database due to the applications it is used for.
4. Databases help transfer user knowledge between applications.
5. Data-sharing is encouraged.
6. Data security and standards for data access can be developed and enforced.
7. Database Management Systems (DBMS) can house large quantities of data and
allow multiple users to work on the database concurrently
An integrated database should allow us to: - ANSWER-1. Order data
2. Re-order data
Graded A
The first GIS - ANSWER-Was created in 1963 by Roger Tomlinson for the Canadian
Government
GIS vs CAD (Computer Aided Design Program) - ANSWER-1. CAD does not have the
spatial capabilities of GIS.
2. CAD does not have database management systems.
Geographic problems revolve around... - ANSWER-1. Scale
2. Purpose
3. Time
What is GISc (Geographic Information Science)? - ANSWER-The theory behind the
development, use, and application of GIS.
What are the 5 components of GIS? - ANSWER-1. Hardware
2. Software
3. Data
4. People
5. Methods
What are the 3 main views of GIS? - ANSWER-1. Map view: cartographic elements.
2. Database view: a database is created with geographical data, you can ask this data
questions.
3. Model view (AKA tool view): Different functionality and tools.
What 4 ways can spatial data be stored? - ANSWER-1. In layers
2. As features
3. In vector and raster format
4. With associated databases
Spatial Data Infrastructure - ANSWER-The infrastructure that facilitates the integration
of data in a variety of formats from multiple sources. It's designed to be invisible, easy to
use, reliable, multipurpose, widespread, and flexible.
Metadata - ANSWER-Data about the data
GIS can help us determine: - ANSWER-1. Locations
2. Patterns
,3. Trends
4. Conditions
5. Implications
What are the 5 methods of in situ (in person) data collection? - ANSWER-1. Plane
Table (traditional)
2. Total Station
3. Smart Station
4. Census
5. Sampling
Total Station
(In situ data collection method #2) - ANSWER-Uses a theodolite to measure distance
electronically with a laser to level the horizontal plane. It's accurate to a few mm at
1000m. Uses local or federal markers (monuments).
Smart Station
(In situ data collection method #3) - ANSWER-Uses a GPS-enabled stadia rod
Census
(In situ data collection method #4) - ANSWER-"systematic collection of information
about all of the members of a greater population".
In Canada this is conducted every 5 years, there is debate about the long-form vs short-
form census. Your postal code is one of the most important elements because it is
associated with your latitude and longitude.
Sampling
(In situ data collection method #5) - ANSWER-Related to census, "Procedure
concerned with the selection and subset of individuals from within a population to infer
some knowledge about the whole population to make predictions".
GPS (Global Positioning Systems) - ANSWER-A global navigation satellite system
(GNSS) developed by the US dept of defence (1960). NAVSTAR is the only fully
functioning GNSS in the world. A constellation of between 24-32 medium Earth orbit
satellites that transmit precise radio wave signals, which allow GPS receivers (on the
ground) to determine latitude and longitude.
Taking back our neighbourhoods (United Way) - ANSWER-Evaluation of 3 Censuses
worth of data, mapped for all of Windsor-Essex County. Report calls for Strategically
Targeted Over-Investment in priority neighbourhood to kick start sustainable
revitalization. Looking at new ways to combat neighbourhood poverty based on best
practices from other communities.
Raster Georeferencing - ANSWER-Raster data have to be georeferenced to relate them
with other spatial datasets.
, Rasters are referenced using a coordinate system that is related to the number of rows
and columns in the layer.
4 types of raster data structure - ANSWER-1. Simple rasters
2. Run-length encoding/Block coding
3. Chain coding
4. Quadtrees
Run Length Encoding:
(raster data compaction) - ANSWER-Reduces data volume on a row by row basis.
Stores a single value where there are several cells of a given type in a group, rather
than storing a value for each individual cell.
Block Coding:
(raster data compaction) - ANSWER-Extends run-length encoding approach to 2
dimensions by utilizing groups of square blocks to store data.
Chain Coding:
(raster data compaction) - ANSWER-Directional, reduction is based on the boundary of
the entity/feature.
The boundary in this case is defined as the sequence of unit cells starting from and
returning to a given origin.
The direction of travel around the boundary is usually given a number or letter system
(0=North, 1=East, 2=South, etc.)
Vector to Raster Data Conversion: - ANSWER-If cell size is increased too much
accuracy is lost, try to keep your resolution as high as possible.
Raster to Vector Data Conversion: - ANSWER-There may now be thousands of
polygons, if they are not accurate there will be a lot of errors.
Database - ANSWER-Organized collection of structured information, or data, typically
stored electronically in a computer system.
Why use a database?
(7 reasons) - ANSWER-1. Data is in one location, therefore reducing redundancy.
2. If data is organized, maintenance costs and data duplication are reduced.
3. Data can evolve in a database due to the applications it is used for.
4. Databases help transfer user knowledge between applications.
5. Data-sharing is encouraged.
6. Data security and standards for data access can be developed and enforced.
7. Database Management Systems (DBMS) can house large quantities of data and
allow multiple users to work on the database concurrently
An integrated database should allow us to: - ANSWER-1. Order data
2. Re-order data
