Chapter 1

Definition and Process of GIS

- Overview
- GIS components
- Capabilities of GIS
- Importance of GIS
Overview: What is GIS?
Acronym :

G GEOGRAPHIC

I - INFORMATION

S - SYSTEM
WHAT IS G. I. S ???
G : Geographic
Geography – A science that deals with the description, distribution,
and interaction of the diverse physical, biological, and cultural features
of the earth's surface (spaces and places)

I : Information
Interpreted data
Data that has been processed, organized, structured or presented in
a given context so as to make it useful

S : System
A set of detailed methods, procedures and routines created
to carry out a specific activity, perform a duty, or solve
a problem.
G I S ……………..
 A system which involves collecting/
capturing, storing, processing, manipulating,
analyzing, managing, retrieving and
displaying data (information) which is,
essentially, referenced to the real-world or
the earth (i.e. geographically referenced
DEFINITION OF GIS
 A geographic information system (GIS)
integrates hardware, software, and data
for capturing, managing, analyzing, and
displaying all forms of geographically
referenced information.

 A geographic information system (GIS) is

a computer system for capturing, storing,
querying, analyzing, and displaying
geospatial data.
DEFINITION OF GIS
 GIS allows us to view, understand,
question, interpret, and visualize data in
many ways that reveal relationships,
patterns, and trends in the form of maps,
reports, and charts.

 A GIS helps you answer questions and

solve problems by looking at your data in
a way that is quickly understood and
easily shared.
GIS COMPONENTS
• It is an integration of five basic
components

• The key components of GIS are a

computer system, geospatial
data and users.

• A computer system for GIS

consists of hardware, software
and methods designed to
support the data capture,
processing, analyzing, modeling
and display of geospatial data.
 THE POWER OF
ALL ABOUT DATA COMPUTER
The most important Powerful processor to run
component of GIS the software
What types of data Sufficient memory storage
Where can be collected? Good quality-high resolution
How it can be used? colur graphic screen
DATA Data input & output devices

SOFTWARE GIS
HARDWARE
COMPONENTS
ESSENTIAL SOFTWARE
Allow user to :- import,
store, manage, transform,
analyze and output data METHODS PEOPLE

USER
Technical speciallist
PROCESSING Common user
Well designed implementation YOU
plans
Unique operations and analysis
Skill + experiences
 CAPABILITIES OF GIS
what GIS can do???
1. Perform geographic queries
The ability of GIS to search databases
and perform geographic queries has
saved many companies literally millions
of dollars. GISs have helped :-

• Decrease the time taken to answer

customer requests.
• Find land that suitable for
development.
• Search for relationships among
crops, soils, and climate. A License Real Estate salesperson could use
• Locate the position of breaks in a GIS to find the houses that have tiled roofs
electrical circuits. and five bedrooms
what GIS can do???
2. Improve organizational integration
 Many organizations that have implemented GIS have found that one
of the main benefits is improved management of their own
organization and resources.
 GISs have the ability to link data sets together by geography, so they
facilitate interdepartmental information sharing and communication.
 By creating a shared database one department can benefit from the
work of another. Data can be collected once and used many times

3. Make better decision with GIS

 A GIS, however, is not an automated decision making system, but is a
tool to query, analyze, and map data in support of the decision making
process.
 GIS technology has been used to assist in tasks such as presenting
information at planning inquiries, helping finding best location for
industrial area, and indentify hot spot for crimes occurrence.
 GIS can be used to help reach a decision about the location of a new
housing addition that has minimal environmental impact, is located at a
low risk area, and is close to a population center.
 what GIS can do???
4. Making maps with GIS
• Maps have a special place in GIS. The process of making maps with
GIS is much more flexible than traditional manual or automated
cartography approaches. It begins with database creation.
• Existing paper maps can be digitized and computer-compatible
information can be translated into the GIS.
• products can then be created centered on any location, at any scale,
and showing selected information symbolized effectively to highlight
specific characteristics.

Answer GIS Questions:

• Where should locate?
• What is at? – Location
• Where is? – Objects
• What if? – Models
• Which things are related?
- Pattern
• What has changed?
- Trends
Importance/application of GIS
1. Built environment
2. Public health
3. Natural resources management
4. Disaster management
5. Forestry
6. Agriculture
7. Urban planning
8. Utility
9. Water resources
10. Business
11. Tourism

Many more……