GIS Dictionary

[symbology] A symbol that has no visual similarity to the feature it representsfor example, a circle used to represent a city, or a triangle used to represent a school.

1 [data structures] On a map, a shape defined by a connected series of unique x,y coordinate pairs. An arc may be straight or curved. 2 [data structures] A coverage … Read more

The data structure in a coverage used to represent linear features and polygon boundaries and to support analysis functions, such as network tracing. Nodes represent the beginning and ending vertices … Read more

[empty] A web-based system for sharing, finding, and using maps, layers, and services. ArcGIS Online includes a set of basemaps, map layers, and tools published by Esri for use inside … Read more

ArcGIS Pro is the main professional desktop GIS application from Esri, built on a 64-bit architecture. It also allows you to visualize, edit and analyze geographic data in 2D and … Read more

[ESRI software] A Web service processed and executed from within an ArcGIS server. Each Web service has a distinct HTTP location (URL). Web access is enabled by default for all … Read more

[ESRI software] An ArcGIS extension that provides spatial modeling and analysis features. It allows the creation, querying, mapping, and analysis of cell-based raster data and integrated vector-raster analysis.

[non-ESRI software] The command, provided with the Java ADF, that starts the Apache Ant tool that builds and deploys Web applications.

[computing] The internal design of an application or software package; the way software or hardware components are organized into a functioning unit.

[computing] A collection of information or data that is stored on a permanent medium such as CDs, discs, or tapes. Information is archived to ensure its security or persistence.

[ESRI software] In ArcGIS and ArcSDE, a procedure that allows a geodatabase to capture and store updates to features and records as the version is posted or edits are saved … Read more

[ESRI software] ESRI software that allows for centrally hosting and serving GIS maps, data, and applications for use on the Internet. The administrative framework lets users author configuration files, publish … Read more

[ESRI software] The ArcIMS component that allows users to manage ArcIMS services, servers, virtual servers, and folders.

[ESRI software] The ArcIMS component that handles the distribution of incoming requests. It tracks which services are running on which ArcIMS spatial servers and hands off a request to the … Read more

[ESRI software] A component used to connect the Web server to the ArcIMS application server. Types of connectors include ActiveX Connector, ColdFusion Connector, Java Connector, .NET Link, and Servlet Connector. … Read more

[ESRI software] A multitier framework that includes ArcIMS components: the ArcIMS Manager/manager applications, application server, application server connectors, monitor, tasker, spatial servers, and viewers. The complete architecture also includes a … Read more

[ESRI software] The ArcIMS component that allows users to organize data into a configuration file that can be used to create a service. A configuration file specifies the map content: … Read more

[ESRI software] The ArcIMS component that guides users in designing Web pages based on at least one service and one of the ArcIMS viewers. Users choose from a variety of … Read more

[ESRI software] A suite of Web pages, deprecated in the 9.0 release, that guides users through the process of authoring configuration files, publishing services, designing Web pages, and administering sites. … Read more

[ESRI software] Any one of these stand-alone applications: ArcIMS Author, ArcIMS Administrator, or ArcIMS Designer. Each of these applications guides users through a process: authoring configuration files (ArcIMS Author), creating … Read more

[ESRI software] An ArcIMS component that tracks the state of the ArcIMS spatial server. When a computer system reboots, ArcIMS Monitor restarts services automatically by restarting the site configuration. This … Read more

[ESRI software] A service that allows the content of a configuration file to be published on the Internet. The configuration file provides data layer content and symbology that the service … Read more

[ESRI software] A Web-based administration application that allows users to manage ArcIMS services and ArcSDE services remotely.

[ESRI software] An ArcIMS component that removes temporary image files generated by the image and ArcMap image services at a user-defined time interval.

[ESRI software] Any one of the three Web site designs that come as standard options in ArcIMS Designer: the HTML, Java Custom, and Java Standard. They provide the functionality and … Read more

[ESRI software] A grouping of one or more spatial servers into a single unit for administrative purposes. All of the following are ArcIMS virtual servers: the ArcMap server, extract server, … Read more

[ESRI software] The directory that stores the files that make up the ArcIMS Internet GIS application and other files. It is the directory specified as the Working Directory during the … Read more

[ESRI software] A serialization file containing ArcIMS folders and any submitted MapNotes and EditNotes. It is stored in the ArcIMS AppServer directory. This file replaces the EsriMapCookies.ser file used in … Read more

[ESRI software] A serialization file created in the ArcIMS AppServer directory that saves site parameters, including which services are running and which servers are started. This file replaces the EsriMapCatalog.ser … Read more

ESRI software

[data transfer] A file format, also known as an export file, used to enable a coverage, grid or TIN and an associated INFO table to be transferred between different machines … Read more

[ESRI software] A file-based collection of coverages, grids, TINs, or shapefiles stored as a directory of folders in the file system.

[ESRI software] A public ArcIMS virtual server that allows an ArcGIS user to create maps in ArcMap, rather than ArcIMS Author or ArcIMS Manager, and publish them on the Internet. … Read more

[ESRI software] A library of software components that make up the foundation of ArcGIS. ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Engine, and ArcGIS Server are all built using the ArcObjects libraries.

[ESRI software] Technology for managing geographic information in a relational database management system (RDBMS). ArcSDE is part of the ArcGIS platform, and is the data server between ArcGIS and relational … Read more

[ESRI software] The user who administers ArcSDE geodatabases. The ArcSDE administrative user can be the SDE user, but for DBO-schema ArcSDE geodatabases in SQL Server it is any user whose … Read more

An application or program that communicates with ArcSDE to query, store and manage spatial data. Examples include ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Server, and ArcIMS.

[ESRI software] In ArcCatalog, an instance of SQL Server Express used to store ArcSDE geodatabases.

[ESRI software] A geodatabase stored in an RDBMS served to client applications using ArcSDE technology. An ArcSDE geodatabase can support long transactions and versioned workflows, be used as a workspace … Read more

[ESRI software] A single-user ArcSDE geodatabase that is created on Microsoft SQL Server Express.

[ESRI software] A collection of tables that store metadata about user tables in a geodatabase managed using ArcSDE technology. ArcSDE system tables are owned by an ArcSDE administrative user.

[ESRI software] A user interface in ArcGIS used for accessing, organizing, and managing a collection of geoprocessing tools, models, and scripts.

[ESRI software] In ArcView 3, a file for creating and storing documents for GIS work. All activity in ArcView 3 takes place within project files, which use five types of … Read more

[ESRI software] Acronym for Arc Extensible Markup Language. A file format that provides a structured method for communication between all ArcIMS components. ArcXML defines content for services and is used … Read more

[standards] A metric areal unit of measure equal to 100 square meters. One are is equal to 1,076.39 square feet, or 0.025 acres.

1 [Euclidean geometry] A closed, two-dimensional shape defined by its boundary or by a contiguous set of raster cells. 2 [Euclidean geometry] A calculation of the size of a two-dimensional … Read more

[ESRI software] In Survey Analyst – Cadastral Editor, a continuous set of parcels that have been selected for adjustment by least-squares.

[map design] The extent used to define a focus area for either a map or database production.

1 [computing] In computing, a value or expression passed to a function, command, or program. 2 [mathematics] In mathematics, an independent variable of a function.

[mathematics] A number, variable, function, or combination of these, with operators or parentheses, or both, that can be evaluated to produce a single number.

[ESRI software] A type of mathematical function that performs a calculation on the values of cells in an input raster. There are six arithmetic functions in ArcGIS Spatial Analyst: Abs, … Read more

1 [GPS] A set of objects that are connected to function as a unit. In GPS technology, an array of satellites is used to pinpoint locations on the earth. 2 … Read more