GIS data structures: Types (Spatial and Non-Spatial) Raster
and Vector data?
Spatial data:
Definition: Spatial data represents the location and shape of geographic features on the
Earth's surface. It describes the spatial relationships and characteristics of physical objects or
phenomena.
Types:
Vector Data: Points, lines, and polygons that define discrete geographic
features.
Raster Data: Grid-based data representing continuous surfaces, such as
elevation or land cover.
Network Data: Represents connectivity and relationships between geographic
features.
TIN (Triangulated Irregular Network): Used to model irregularly distributed
elevation points.
Examples: Roads, rivers, buildings, boundaries, elevation, land use.
Non-Spatial Data (Attribute Data):
Definition: Non-spatial data describes the characteristics or attributes of geographic features
but does not include explicit spatial information.
Types:
Tabular Data: Organized in tables with rows and columns. Each row
corresponds to a geographic feature, and columns represent attributes.
Textual Information: Descriptive information that provides context or
additional details about features.
Numeric Data: Quantitative information associated with geographic
features.
Categorical Data: Qualitative information that categorizes features into
distinct classes.
Examples: Population counts, temperature, land ownership, land use categories,
street names.
Integration of Spatial and Non-Spatial Data:
Geodatabase: A database that combines spatial and non-spatial data, allowing
for the storage and management of both types within a unified framework.
Joining and Relating Tables: Associating non-spatial attribute data with spatial
features using common identifiers.
Attribute Queries: Analysing and querying data based on attribute values.
Spatial Analysis: Utilizing spatial relationships for analysis, such as proximity
or overlay operations.
Raster Data:
Representation: Raster data is represented as a grid of cells or pixels, where
each cell contains a value representing a certain attribute (e.g., elevation,
temperature, or colour).
Structure: It is organized in a matrix format where each cell has a specific value,
and the entire grid covers a spatial extent.
Resolution: Raster data has a fixed resolution, and the size of the cells
determines the level of detail in the representation.
Examples: Satellite imagery, digital elevation models (DEMs), and aerial
photographs are common examples of raster data.
Advantages:
Well-suited for continuous data representation (e.g., elevation).
Efficient storage of large datasets.
Disadvantages:
Can be memory-intensive, especially for high-resolution data.
May not represent features with sharp boundaries accurately.
Vector Data:
Representation: Vector data represents features as points, lines, and polygons.
Points are used for discrete locations, lines for linear features, and polygons for
areas or regions.
Structure: It is based on geometric objects and their attributes. Each object is
defined by its spatial coordinates and associated attribute data.
Topology: Vector data can represent topological relationships, such as
connectivity between points, lines, and polygons.
Examples: Roads, rivers, and administrative boundaries are often represented
using vector data.
Advantages:
Ideal for representing discrete features and their relationships.
Can accurately represent features with well-defined boundaries.
Disadvantages:
May not be as efficient for storing continuous data (e.g., elevation).
Handling large datasets can be complex.
