Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have been experiencing a steady and
unprecedented growth in terms of general interest, theory development,
and new applications in the last decade or so. GIS is an
inter-disciplinary field that brings together many diverse areas such as
computer science, geography, cartography, engineering, and urban
planning.
Database Issues in Geographic Information Systems approaches several
important topics in GIS from a database perspective. Database management
has a central role to play in most computer-based information systems,
and is expected to have an equally important role to play in managing
information in GIS as well. Existing database technology, however,
focuses on the alphanumeric data that are required in business
applications. GIS, like many other application areas, requires the
ability to handle spatial as well as alphanumeric data. This requires
new innovations in data management, which is the central theme of this
monograph. The monograph begins with an overview of different
application areas and their data and functional requirements. Next it
addresses the following topics in the context of GIS: representation and
manipulation of spatial data, data modeling, indexing, and query
processing. Future research directions are outlined in each of the above
topics. The last chapter discusses issues that are emerging as important
areas of technological innovations in GIS.
Database Issues in Geographic Information Systems is suitable as a
secondary text for a graduate level course on Geographic Information
Systems, Database Systems or Cartography, and as a reference for
researchers and practitioners in industry.
