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2.1: Introduction

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    44902
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    As mentioned in Chapter 1, GIS must have capabilities for inputting data; various housekeeping functions to edit, store, and reshape data; analytical operations that manipulate the data into usable information, and output functions. In this chapter, we focus on data input.

    There are three distinct phases to the data input process (Figure 2.1): In the first phase, the design phase, you identify and “conceptually” code all the needed features and attributes for your project. Next is the data acquisition phase, which involves acquiring the needed data from various agencies, storehouses, and organizations, and getting it into a format that your GIS program reads. Finally, in the data capture phase, you digitize hard-copy maps and data directly into your GIS and transform existing digital data into a format your GIS reads.

    Figure 2.1:  The three phases of the data input process.

    Figure 2.1: Three distinct phases to the data input process


    This page titled 2.1: Introduction is shared under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.