GIS Dictionary

[output] In ArcScene or ArcGlobe, the backdrop of the view. The color of the background can be set to suggest sky, empty space, or any color that improves visualization.

[remote sensing] Electromagnetic energy that is reflected back toward its source by terrain or particles in the atmosphere.

[cartography] Acronym for best available map. The most suitable data source for a map.

[remote sensing] A set of adjacent wavelengths or frequencies with a common characteristic. For example, visible light is one band of the electromagnetic spectrum, which also includes radio, gamma, radar … Read more

[digital image processing] A digital image-processing technique that enhances contrast between features by dividing a measure of reflectance for the pixels in one image band by the measure of reflectance … Read more

[remote sensing] An image format that stores each band of data in a separate file.

[remote sensing] A wave filter that allows signals in a certain frequency to pass through, while blocking or attenuating signals at other frequencies.

[computing] The amount of digital data that can be transferred over a computer network within a specified time period, usually measured in bits per second (bps).

1 [network analysis] In network analysis, an entity that prevents flow from traversing a network edge or junction. 2 [ESRI software] A line feature used to keep certain points from … Read more

[data analysis] Map data over which other, thematic information is placed.

In aerial photography, the height or altitude from which a photograph is taken.

1 [aerial photography] In aerial photography, the distance on the ground between the centers of overlapping photos, divided by aircraft altitude. In a stereomodel, base height ratio is used to … Read more

[data analysis] A data layer in a GIS to which all other layers are geometrically referenced.

[GPS] A GPS receiver at a known location that broadcasts and collects correction information for roving GPS receivers.

[ESRI software] In ArcGIS Tracking Analyst, the default symbol used to represent an event or a feature on a map.

[ESRI software] A text formatting tag that allows control of how the ESRI Maplex Labeling Engine places labels based on multiple fields relative to a feature. The field identified with … Read more

1 [surveying] An accurately surveyed line from which other lines or the angles between them are measured. 2 [surveying] In a U.S. land survey system, a line passing east and … Read more

1 [data analysis] A map depicting background reference information such as landforms, roads, landmarks, and political boundaries, onto which other thematic information is placed. A basemap is used for locational … Read more

[computing] A text file containing commands that is sent to the CPU to be executed automatically. A batch file allows the central processing unit (CPU) to process the commands at … Read more

[geocoding] The process of geocoding many address records at the same time.

[ESRI software] A procedure which uses a given ArcToolbox tool to process a set of information, or batch, rather than applying the tool to one piece at a time. Batch … Read more

[ESRI software] A method for processing data automatically in which the data is grouped into batches and executed by the computer at one time, without user interaction.

[ESRI software] In ArcToolbox, a table which displays the input name, user-selected parameters, and output name, where applicable, for all entries pertaining to a group, or batch, of jobs. Batch … Read more

[data conversion] An automated process that converts raster data into vector features for an entire raster or a portion of it based on user-defined settings.

[cartography] A map representing the topography of a seafloor or lake bed, using contour lines to indicate depth.

[cartography] The science of measuring and charting the depths of water bodies to determine the topography of a lake bed or seafloor.

[ESRI software] In MOLE, the primary area in which a force unit operates, such as air, space, ground, sea, surface, and subsurface.

[data transfer] In communications, the number of electrical cycles, or signals, transmitted per second. At lower transfer speeds the baud rate equals the data transfer rate measured in bps, or … Read more

A theorem developed by English mathematician Thomas Bayes (1702-1761) about conditional probability. It states that the probability of a given event, given the original data and some new data, is … Read more

A statistical approach to measuring likelihood. Bayesian estimates are based on the synthesis of a prior distribution and current sample data. Classical approaches to statistics estimate the probability of an … Read more