Components of GIS

Question 1

What are the 5 components of GIS?

Answer 1

1. Hardware
2. Software
3. Data
4. Methods & Procedure
5. People

Question 2

What component of GIS is this?

Refers to the computer component that forms the physical framework on which the system operates

Answer 2

Hardware

Question 3

Why does a typical GIS workstation use double monitors?

Answer 3

• The heavy amount of multitasking in GIS needs two screens for optimal vision and task organization
• When editing GIS data, analysts separate their visuals and attributes on separate screens

Question 4

What component of GIS is this?

• Refers to various computer programs that provide the functions and tools needed to store, analyze and display geographic information
• ArcGIS, QGIS and TerrSet are some examples of this

Answer 4

Software

Question 5

Fill in the blanks (One answer)

Refers to spatially-referenced ____set typically composed of two types - geometric ____ and attribute ____

Answer 5

Data

Question 6

What are the two kinds of data structures?

Answer 6

Vector and Raster

Question 7

What type of data is this?

• Represents the spatial component of a geographic feature (e.g. shape and position)
• Two or three dimensional coordinates which define spatial distribution of points, lines and areas

Answer 7

Geometric

Question 8

What type of data is this?

• Describes the properties of a feature (e.g. color, size, information)
• Descriptive information about the spatial data

Answer 8

Attribute

Question 9

What are the 4 types of attribute data?

Answer 9

1. Nominal
2. Ordinal
3. Interval
4. Ratio

Question 10

What GIS software is this?

• An open source software
• Has the edge for consuming data and is versatile
• Uses the GDAL/OGR library to read and write GIS data formats
• Over 70 vector formats are supported

Answer 10

QGIS

Question 11

What kind of attribute data is this?

• Describe different kinds or different categories of data such as land cover or soil types
• These values are qualities, not quantities, with no relation to a fixed point or linear scale

Answer 11

Nominal

Question 12

Type of data structure

____ graphics are comprised of vertices and paths

Answer 12

Vector

Question 13

What are the 3 basic symbol types? (Vector)

Answer 13

Points, Lines, and Polygons

Question 14

Type of data structure

• Made up of pixels (also referred to as grid cells)
• Usually regularly spaced and square
• Look pixelated because each pixel has its own value or class

Answer 14

Raster

Question 15

____% of data is geographic

Answer 15

80

Question 16

Who said this quote?

“80% of the informational needs of local government are related to geographic location”

Answer 16

Robert Williams

Question 17

What component of GIS is this?

• Refer to the well-designed plans or management frameworks that are followed in the operation of GIS
• These models and operating practices are unique and are mainly based on the objectives set by different organizations

Answer 17

Methods & Procedure

Question 18

What component of GIS is this?

• Involves various tasks such as data input, database management, modeling and analysis, output production or system administration
• Should have basic understanding on rudiment concepts, principles, and applications of GIS

Answer 18

People

Question 19

What are the 5 fundamental personas of GIS users?

Answer 19

1. Viewer
2. Contributor
3. Analyst
4. Curator
5. Expert