CADGIS
Author’s Note
From the Preface
In EBOOK 01 we asked what a GIS is. In this eBook we look inside it and ask what a GIS is made of.
Every map, table and analysis in a GIS rests on data. Yet the words used to describe data, such as vector, raster, spatial, attribute, cell and field, can sound like a second language to a new learner. This is a common place for beginners to feel lost.
This eBook exists to make that vocabulary clear. It explains the two basic kinds of spatial data, vector and raster, and the attribute data that describe what is stored. It shows how they differ, how they work together and how to choose between them. Short worked examples let you check every idea with a pencil and a calculator.
The material has been gathered from relevant sources, compiled, organised in a logical order and presented in a reader-friendly format. It builds on established GIS knowledge developed by many practitioners, educators and organisations. The sources consulted are listed in Appendix C. The aim is clarity, logical progression and practical relevance.
It is written for students who are starting to study GIS, for beginners exploring geospatial technologies, and for anyone who prefers to build knowledge step by step. It is a starting point, not a complete course. Readers are encouraged to practise with real data and to read widely. More information about this series is available at www.cadgistools.com.