Using each of the following basically similar geometric entities define how each is DIFFERENT from the other (if they are):
Address the following statement: In the "real
world" the distinction between points, lines and polygons is one only of
scale. Is it correct and why or why not?
With a standard "flat file" of rows and columns draw arrows to the part of the structure to which the following terms apply:
Parcel number
parcel address
structures on parcel (multiple)
parcel owner (multiple)
parcel owner's mailing address (one address per
owner)
date parcel assessed
structure type (brick, frame etc)
date structure inspected
One of the basic points made by B is that the "return on investment" for GIS applications is the greatest for transpiration and the least for environmental applications. Why, then, do you think that environmental applications of GIS are much more common in the US than transportation ones?
Discuss the following: The basic data structure that has underlain most popular GIS systems (arc/node structures) have limited their use by engineers, surveyors and others dealing with engineering and legal issues.
Using an example of a county road that passes over an interstate discuss how spaghetti digitizing can create errors in your data unless proper precautions are taken.
Systems such as Arc/Info and GRASS require that
any data that is added have topology defined (e.g. a build operation in
ARC) while you can add new geometries in ArcView shapefile without concern
for topology. What are the pluses and minuses of requiring topology? GeoMedia
"creates" topology when it's needed. What are the pluses and minuses of
this strategy?
If you are provided with EITHER a set of tables or a drawing showing topological relationships (as shown on page 62 of B) you should be prepared to recreate the other. By way of comparison use the same basic data to create figures and tables showing nodes, arcs, polygons and contiguity as presented by Foote and Heubner
Discuss the types of problems that can exist in a shape file that will create difficulties when the shape file is used (without "cleaning") in topologically based analyses.
What types of problems are common when two different polygon themes drawn from different but related data sources (e.g. soil boundaries and vegetation or geology and soils etc.) are involved in polygon overlay operations. What spatial operations can be performed to remove and/or reduce these problems?
What types of problems are common when data form very different scales are involved in polygon overlays? Use a small diagram to illustrate your discussion.
What is attribute coding and what are the advantages of coding attribute data prior to developing a data base - what are the disadvantages?
Given two simple polygon maps and an associated attribute tables show (1) the resulting polygon structure after a polygon overlay and (2) the resulting attribute table.
What is an "integrated terrain unit" and why is it useful in vector analyses?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of storage of elevation data in a vector data structure?
Define and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the various methods used to store elevation data in a vector data structure. Provide an example of an application where each method is most effective.
According to Foote and Huebner what are the advantages
of flat files and relational database (ignore hierarchical files)
Foote and Huebner define "object" oriented databases. GeoMedia is an object-relational database. How is GM alike/different from what they outline?