GIS Dictionary

Browse dictionary

buffer

URL copied Share URL
  1. [spatial analysis] A specified zone around a map feature or features, measured in units of distance or time. A buffer is useful when calculating travel areas or proximity. Media\buffer.gif
  2. [spatial analysis] A polygon enclosing a point, line, or polygon at a specified distance.
  3. [computing] Space on a computer disk or RAM that has been allocated for temporary storage. This temporary storage may also be called a spooler when it is used to hold data in memory before the data is sent to another machine, such as a printer.

Related Terms