GIS Dictionary
Definitions for GIS terms related to operations such as analysis, GIS modeling and web-based GIS, cartography, and Esri software.
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data model
See Also:
data structure
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[data models]
In GIS, a mathematical construct for representing geographic objects or surfaces as data. For example, the vector data model represents geography as collections of points, lines, and polygons; the raster data model represents geography as cell matrixes that store numeric values; and the TIN data model represents geography as sets of contiguous, nonoverlapping triangles. -
[ESRI software]
In ArcGIS, a set of database design specifications for objects in a GIS application. A data model describes the thematic layers used in the application (for example, hamburger stands, roads, and counties); their spatial representation (for example, point, line, or polygon); their attributes; their integrity rules and relationships (for example, counties must nest within states); their cartographic portrayal; and their metadata requirements. -
[data models]
In information theory, a description of the rules by which data is defined, organized, queried, and updated within an information system (usually a database management system).
