GIS Software

Definition

GIS Software, or Geographic Information System Software, is a type of computer program designed to store, retrieve, manage, display, and analyze all types of geographical and spatial data. GIS software lets you produce maps and other graphic displays of geographical information for analysis and presentation.

What is GIS Software?

GIS Software is a suite of tools that allows researchers, analysts, and businesses to visualize, analyze, and interpret data, showing patterns, relationships, and trends in the form of maps, globes, reports, and charts. Using a combination of specialized hardware, software, and data, GIS can analyze spatial location and organize layers of information into meaningful visualizations.

It's essentially a database system where the database is comprised of spatial elements. The software works by linking spatial data (geographical data) with attribute data (information about the geographic features). GIS software is used in an endless array of applications across numerous fields including archaeology, geology, health, marketing, logistics, and urban planning.

FAQs

What are the main components of GIS Software?

The basic components of GIS Software are hardware, software, data, people, and methods. The hardware is the physical aspect of the system including the computers and network, the software is the tools and applications that process and analyze the data, the data is the information input to the system, the people are the users, and the methods are the techniques to handle the data in the GIS.

What are some examples of GIS Software?

ArcGIS, MapInfo, QGIS, Grass GIS, Golden Software Surfer, and Idrisi are some examples of popular GIS Software. The software ranges between open-source tools (Grass GIS, QGIS) to commercial products (ArcGIS, Golden Software Surfer).

What makes GIS Software different from other mapping applications?

Unlike simpler mapping tools, GIS Software doesn't just create static maps. It allows users to interact with, query, and analyze the spatial data. GIS can manage and analyze multiple layers of spatial data simultaneously and provides tools for advanced spatial and statistical analysis.

Why is GIS Software important in decision-making processes?

GIS Software provides a visual, geographic perspective on data, allowing decision makers to see patterns, trends, and correlations that might be missed in textual form. By seeing data mapped, complex scenarios can be better understood which is particularly useful in planning and decision-making in sectors like urban planning, disaster management, and logistics.