Vector GIS Data Models Study Guide

Quiz
​ What is the primary difference between the Spaghetti Model and the Topological Vector
Model?
​ Describe the three basic feature or object types in vector data.
​ Explain the concept of a "node" in the context of vector data.
​ What is a "label point" and how is it different from a regular point feature?
​ What is the core concept of topology in GIS?
​ Give two examples of common topological errors with polygon features.
​ Explain the difference between an undershoot and an overshoot error with polyline features.
​ What is the purpose of map projections in GIS?
​ Name and briefly describe two types of map projections mentioned in the source material.
​ What are the two main types of output from GIS described in the source material?
Essay Format Questions
​ Compare and contrast the Spaghetti Model and the Topological Vector Model, discussing
their advantages, disadvantages, and how they handle spatial relationships.
​ Discuss the different types of topological errors that can occur in vector data and explain how
topology rules can be used to prevent them.
​ Explain the concept of map projections and discuss the purpose and characteristics of
different projection types (cylindrical, conical, azimuthal) as presented in the source material.
​ Describe the process of symbolizing vector data based on different levels of measurement
(nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio) and explain how symbolization choices can impact the
message conveyed by a map.
​ Analyze the statement "A well prepared data model is vital for a successful GIS analysis" by
discussing the importance of data models in GIS and how vector and raster data models
influence analytical capabilities.
Glossary of Key Terms
​ Arc (Line, Link): An ordered set of points with a node at the beginning and end of it, used to
represent linear geographic features in vector data.
​ Attribute Data: Tabular data that records characteristics or properties of geographic features.
​ Cartography: The art, science, and technology of making maps.
​ Classification: A technique of purposefully removing detail from an input data set to reveal
important spatial patterns by assigning characteristic values to elements.
​ Connectivity: A topological concept where nodes link arcs with start and end nodes, defining
how features are connected.
​ Contiguity: A topological concept where arcs have directions and are associated with left and
right polygons, indicating adjacency.
​ Coordinate System: A set of coordinates identifying the location of objects relatively to others
or to an origin, used to define spatial location.
​ Dangling Node: A node located at the end of one arc defining its end and not linked to
another arc, representing a topological error.
​ DBMS (Database Management System): A set of software tools used to manage the
non-spatial tabular data in a GIS.
​ Digital Elevation Model (DEM): A representation of terrain elevation, often created from
various data sources like contours, points, stereo images, or laser scans.
​ Feature: A simplified representation of a real-world geographical object (point, line, or
polygon) that can be stored and manipulated in a computer.
​ Geographic Coordinate System: A reference system that uses latitude and longitude to
define the locations of points on the surface of a sphere or spheroid.
​ Georeferenced Data: Data identified according to their locations, tied to a spatial location.
​ GIS (Geographic Information System): A system of computer software, hardware, data, and
personnel used to assemble, store, manipulate, analyze, and display geographically
referenced information.
​ GPS (Global Positioning System): A worldwide radio-navigation system using satellites and
ground stations to calculate positions accurately.
​ Label Point: A point that resides within a polygon to provide attribute information for the
polygon, not representing the location of a geographic feature itself.
​ Layer: A collection of similar geographic features (e.g., roads, rivers, buildings) stored as a
single dataset in a GIS.
​ Map Projection: A mechanism used to project maps of the earth's spherical surface onto a
two-dimensional Cartesian coordinate plane.
​ Measurement Function: GIS analytical functions that allow the calculation of distances,
lengths, and areas of spatial features.
​ Node: The beginning and end of a link (line, arc), often defined where three or more lines
connect.
​ Nominal Data: Information grouped into categories based on qualitative considerations,
where numbers merely establish identity.
​ Ordinal Data: Information grouped by rank based on some quantitative measure, where
numbers establish order only.
​ Overshoot: A topological error with polyline features where a line ends beyond the line it
should connect to.
​ Overlay Analysis: The process of combining spatial and attribute data from two or more
layers to create a new layer, often involving comparing characteristics at the same location.
​ Point: An x, y coordinate identifying a geographic location, the simplest type of spatial object
defined as a single coordinate pair in vector data.
​ Polygon: Two or more links connected at the nodes, containing a point inside to identify the
polygon's attributes, representing enclosed areas in vector data.
​ Projected Coordinate System: A coordinate system based on a map projection, providing a
two-dimensional Cartesian coordinate plane.
​ Pseudo Node: A node located between two arcs linked together, representing a potential
topological error if not intended.
​ Ratio Data: Quantitative data where the difference between numbers is meaningful and the
numbering scale starts at an absolute zero point, allowing for division.
​ Raster Data Model: A GIS data model that uses an array of grid values, cells, or pixels to
represent real-world objects, where spatial relationships are implicit.
​ Retrieval Functions: GIS analytical functions that allow selective searches of data based on
spatial or attribute conditions.
​ Run-length Encoding: A simple compression method for raster data that encodes adjacent
row cells with the same value as pairs of values indicating the count and the value.
​ Spaghetti Model: A simple vector data model that is a direct representation of a graphical
image with no explicit topological information.
 ​ Spatial Analysis: The process of turning data into information through the examination of
spatial patterns and relationships.
​ Spatial Data: Geographic features that are represented as points, lines, and polygons in a
GIS.
​ Symbolization: The process of representing different classes of geographic features on a
map using visual elements.
​ Topological Vector Model: A vector data model where spatial relationships are explicitly
defined, allowing for the interpretation of connecting lines, enclosed areas, and contiguous
areas.
​ Topology: A mathematical procedure for explicitly defining spatial relationships between
geographic objects.
​ True Node: A node located at the intersection of three or more arcs, forming a junction.
​ Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN): A GIS data model used for 3D surface modeling, where
the basic unit is a triangle consisting of three lines connecting three nodes.
​ Undershoot: A topological error with polyline features where a gap exists between lines that
should meet at a point (node).
​ Vector Data Model: A GIS data model that represents geographic features as points, lines,
and polygons using coordinate information.
​ Vertices: Points that define the shape of a line and occupy the location between the two
nodes.
​ Visualization: Dynamic representations of geographic information used to display, analyze,
edit, and query data.
Quiz Answer Key
​ The Spaghetti Model is a simple direct translation of map features without explicit spatial
relationships, while the Topological Vector Model explicitly defines and stores these
relationships (connectivity, contiguity, area definition).
​ The three basic feature types in vector data are points (single x,y coordinate), lines or links
(ordered set of points with nodes), and polygons (two or more links connected at nodes
forming a closed region).
​ A node is a point that signifies the beginning or end of a line (arc) and is often located where
three or more lines connect, defining connectivity.
​ A label point resides within a polygon to provide attribute information for that polygon. Unlike
a regular point feature, it doesn't represent the actual geographic location of a distinct object,
but rather identifies the area.
​ Topology in GIS is a mathematical procedure that explicitly defines spatial relationships
between geographic objects, allowing for the interpretation of connections, areas, and
adjacency.
​ Two examples of common topological errors with polygon features are unclosed polygons
and gaps between polygon borders.
​ An undershoot occurs when a polyline does not meet perfectly at a node, leaving a gap. An
overshoot occurs when a polyline extends beyond the node it should connect to.
​ The purpose of map projections in GIS is to represent the Earth's spherical surface (or a
portion of it) on a flat surface (map or computer screen) by transforming geographic
coordinates.
​ Two types of map projections mentioned are Cylindrical Projections (projecting onto a
cylinder) and Conical Projections (projecting onto a cone). Cylindrical projections have
 straight meridians and parallels, while conical projections are good for continental
representations.
​ The two main types of output from GIS are Static Maps (formal, created according to
cartographic conventions) and Dynamic Visualizations (transitory, used for display, analysis,
and querying).