GIS Dictionary

[computing] The ability to grow in size or complexity without showing negative effects.

[ESRI software] In Survey Analyst, used to define measurement units based on a common standard.

1 [cartography] The ratio or relationship between a distance or area on a map and the corresponding distance or area on the ground, commonly expressed as a fraction or ratio. … Read more

1 [cartography] The ratio or relationship between a distance or area on a map and the corresponding distance or area on the ground, commonly expressed as a fraction or ratio. … Read more

[symbology] A map element used to graphically represent the scale of a map. A scale bar is typically a line marked like a ruler in units proportional to the map’s … Read more

1 [cartography] The reciprocal of the ratio used to specify scale on a map. For example, if the scale of a map is given as 1:50,000, the scale factor is … Read more

[map display] The scales at which a layer is visible on a map. Scale ranges are commonly used to prevent detailed layers from displaying at small scales (zoomed out) and … Read more

1 [data capture] A device that captures a print or hard-copy image, such as a text document or map, and records the information in digital format. 2 [remote sensing] A … Read more

The process of capturing data from hard-copy maps or images in digital format using a device called a scanner.

[statistics] A chart in which each data point is marked against perpendicular x- and y-axes. Scatter charts are frequently used in analysis to find data trends.

[ESRI software] In 3D Analyst, a document containing 3D data that can be viewed in perspective.

1 [computing] The structure or design of a database or database object, such as a table, view, index, stored procedure, or trigger. In a relational database, the schema defines the … Read more

[ESRI software] During geodatabase editing, the process of applying schema changes from a replica to the relative replica in a replica pair. Examples of schema changes include adding or dropping … Read more

[database structures] In ArcGIS 9.1 and previous versions, a type of checkout that creates the schema of the data being checked out in the checkout geodatabase but does not copy … Read more

[software] Acronym for Service Control Manager. An administrative tool that enables the creation and modification of system services. It effectively serves as the runtime environment for COM.

[computing] A file, created by either a software user or an operating system, that holds temporary data or results during an operation. When the operation is complete, the file is … Read more

[ESRI software] A path to a container for file-based geographic data that can be set in the Environment Settings dialog box or at the command line, into which all automatically … Read more

1 [programming] A set of computing instructions, usually stored in a file and interpreted at run time. 2 [ESRI software] In ArcView 3.x, one of the five types of documents … Read more

1 [quality control] Checking the accuracy of data before it is converted into a different format. 2 [quality control] Improving the appearance of data by closing open polygons, fixing overshoots … Read more