GIS Dictionary

1 [ESRI software] In ArcGIS, a way to see the contents of a selected item in the Catalog tree in ArcCatalog. 2 [ESRI software] In ArcView 3, one of the … Read more

[software] In ArcGlobe and 3D Analyst, an additional window that allows a user to view 3D data in a scene from another angle. Users can have multiple viewers in a … Read more

[3D analysis] The locations visible from one or more specified points or lines. Viewshed maps are useful for such applications as finding well-exposed places for communication towers, or hidden places … Read more

[Internet] A directory name, used in a URL, that corresponds to a real or actual directory on a Web server.

[ESRI software] The map page as seen in layout view in ArcMap.

[ESRI software] The current extent of a map document in ArcGIS. The virtual study area never has a boundary.

[computing] A logical table in a database that stores a pointer to the data rather than the data itself.

[ESRI software] A minimum and maximum value that a map scale must fall between in order for the map layers to be displayed.

[non-ESRI software] A programming language developed by Microsoft based on an object-oriented form of the BASIC language and intended for application development. Visual Basic runs on Microsoft Windows platforms.

[non-ESRI software] The embedded programming environment for automating, customizing, and extending ESRI applications, such as ArcMap and ArcCatalog. It offers the same tools as Visual Basic in the context of … Read more

[programming] A Microsoft implementation of the C++ programming language which is part of Microsoft’s Visual Studio Development environment, used to compile and develop Windows software.

[map design] The point on a rectangular map or image to which the eye is drawn. The visual center lies slightly (about 5 percent of the total height) above the … Read more

[map design] The presentation of features on a map in a way that implies relative importance, usually achieved with visual contrast.

[visualization] The representation of data in a viewable medium or format. In GIS, visualization is used to organize spatial data and related information into layers that can be analyzed or … Read more