ESRI GIS Software: ArcView, ArcInfo, and ArcGIS - Prof. Jane Read, Lab Reports of Geography

Download ESRI GIS Software: ArcView, ArcInfo, and ArcGIS - Prof. Jane Read and more Lab Reports Geography in PDF only on Docsity! THE ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH INSTITUTE (ESRI) SUITE OF GIS SOFTWARE There are three main ESRI GIS software products that you should be aware of:  ArcView 3.3: windows-based, limited capability software. Will not be supported indefinitely. Not taught in Geo 383/683.  ArcInfo Workstation 8.1: command-line, very capable software. Predates ArcGIS Desktop. Still widely used. Not taught in Geo 383/683.  ArcGIS System 8.1: windows-based, variable capability software. The most recently-developed GIS software product from ESRI. The GIS software of this system is taught in Geo 383/683. Note: all three products are installed on the computers in the Geography Department's Geographic Information and Analysis (GIA) laboratory. The ESRI ArcGIS System (summarized from Getting to Know ArcGIS Desktop) The ArcGIS System comprises: 1. ArcSDE (spatial database engine): works with data stored in a relational database management system (e.g., Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, IBM DB2 , Informix) and allows exchange of information between ArcGIS and relational database. For applications where there are many users requiring access to the same information. 2. ArcIMS (internet map server): Build web sites that provide maps, data and GIS applications (e.g., driving directions). For sharing data and GIS capabilities with users who don't have GIS capabilities. 3. ArcGIS Desktop: make maps, perform queries, perform spatial analyses, create and transform data. Note: In Geo 383/683 we will concentrate on learning ArcGIS Desktop. ArcGIS Desktop 1. Consists of three software products that differ in how much they do. They all look and work the same.  ArcView 8.1 has the fewest capabilities: make maps, query data, perform some spatial analyses, edit spatial data.  ArcEditor 8.1 has the same capabilities as ArcView 8.1, PLUS it can create and edit certain spatial data formats that ArcView can only display.  ArcInfo 8.1 has all the capabilities of ArcView 8.1. and ArcEditor 8.1, PLUS it has more spatial analysis tools. It also comes with ArcInfo Workstation - a separate system that preceded ArcGIS Desktop. 2. Each version of ArcGIS Desktop includes three applications:  ArcMap: make maps, classify and symbolize, perform queries, perform spatial analyses, create map layouts,