Components of GIS

A working Geographic Information System seamlessly integrates five key components-

1. Hardware:-

• Computer

• Digitizer

• Scanner

• Printer/Plotter

2. Software:-

GIS software provides the functions and tools needed to store, analyze, and display geographic information.
The Key components of GIS Software are:-

Tools for entering and manipulating geographic information such as addresses or political boundaries
A database management system (DBMS)
Tools that create intelligent digital maps you can analyze, query for more information, or print for presentation
An easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI)

Major GIS software

ArcView: ESRI, the producer of ArcView, has been an industry leader in the production of GIS software and in the support of GIS education. Access ready-to-use ArcGIS for Desktop Basic (formerly known as ArcView), which allows one to view spatial data, create layered maps, and perform basic spatial analysis

3. Data:-

GIS incorporates geographical features with tabular data in order to map, analyze, and assess real-world problems.
Data that is in some way referenced to locations on the earth. Attribute data can be generally defined as additional information about each of the spatial features.
Geographic data and related tabular data can be produced by digitizing images from aerial photographs or published maps.
An example of this would be college. The actual location of the College is the spatial data.
Additional data such as the College name, specialization, capacity would make up the attribute data.

4. People:-

GIS users range from technical specialists who design and maintain the system to those who use it to help them perform their everyday work.

5. Methods

A successful GIS operates according to a well-designed plan and business rules, which are the models and operating practices unique to each organization

Geography Study Materials and Hand-outs