GIS Software Development Research Articles

THE DESIGN OF SCALABLE WEB GIS MICROSERVICE FRAMEWORK FOR UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION

Abstract. As an interdisciplinary integration of GIS theory and network technology, Web GIS is of great significance for the comprehensive development of students’ GIS capability. Therefore, this paper targets undergraduate GIS education and presents a novel approach to designing a scalable Web GIS microservices framework, which consists of three essential components: scalable Web GIS microservices using RESTful APIs, scalable geographic data source provider using PostGIS, and scalable Web mapping and symbolization using JavaScript. In the GIS practice, students are expected to utilize Python, PostGIS, and JavaScript programming languages to develop RESTful microservice APIs, access geographic data, and perform mapping and symbolization using Web browser. Furthermore, they are encouraged to adjust the workload of GIS spatial analysis and algorithms based on the needs of the development environment, and implement different GIS applications. Ultimately, by guiding students to use this framework and participate in GIS practice, the aim of improving their GIS capability is achieved. The experimental results show that through the design and practice of the scalable Web GIS microservices framework, the relevant contents of Web GIS, GIS Software Development, GIS Principle, GIS Algorithm, and GeoDatabase courses are integrated. Students participate in GIS practice in various forms, such as open experiments, innovation projects, and professional competitions, which enhance their GIS capability at the undergraduate level and achieve favorable results.

A User‐centered Design for the Addition of Interactive Masking Capability within an existing Web GIS

AbstractThis article presents a case study of how a user‐centered design (UCD) approach was utilized during the addition of interactive masking capability to an existing web‐based geographic information system (Web GIS). By analyzing and discussing specific aspects of the user‐developer dialog within the context of a Web GIS software development life cycle, this article presents a case study for similar systems. The results of the UCD methodology is a discussion that presents a shift from an initial design to a new design that, based on user feedback, furthers the utility and usability of interactive masking within the Web GIS.

PENGEMBANGAN PERANGKAT LUNAK SISTEM INFORMASI GEOGRAFIS BERBASIS WEB

Geospatial information is currently not only can be displayed using GIS software in a stand alone but can use the Internet as a medium for distributing geospatial information. Through the internet the whole population in the world can access geospatial information and provides a medium for geographic information processing desired without being limited by location. Web-based GIS map evolved from a web and client server architecture for distributed into a unity. Internet technology provides a new form for all functions of information systems is data collection, data storage, data retrieval (retrieving), data analysis and visualization of data. In this paper, the latest technology, web-based GIS with emphasis on architecture and stage of development of web-based GIS software that starts from the needs analysis to the maintenance stage. The implementation phase of the development of web-based GIS software to produce a web-based GIS product is right with the right process as well.

The Research on GIS Software Engineering Model Based on Cloud Computing Technology

In this paper, we mainly introduce the basic concepts of cloud computing and the characteristics of the GIS software engineering. Then we analyze the impact of cloud computing for GIS software development and discuss GIS software engineering design method in cloud computing environment from the GIS software architecture, development organization and deployment management three aspects. At last, put forward the proposals to the implementation of GIS software development in cloud computing environment.

Development of free and opensource GIS software for cartographic generalisation and occupancy area calculations

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) considers that a decrease in the area of occupancy (AOO) is a critical criterion for listing a species as rare, endemic or threatened. However, methods for the accurate measurement of changes in the area of occupancy are relatively limited, and existing methods are influenced by spatial scale and sampling methods. To overcome such cartographic problems, different cartographic methods were proposed in this study and implemented in a free and open source GIS library. A single species (Helianthemum caput-felis Boiss.), which is distributed in many countries of the western Mediterranean, was used as a case study. This plant is threatened and protected because its preferred habitat is near the sea where urban growth is high in the Mediterranean regions. Intensive field work was initially conducted to create a geodatabase with more than 13,000 GPS points. Cartographic methods were then applied to the geodatabase to obtain AOO measurements at different scales to support sustainable urban planning. Based on positive experiences with the use of the programming library, it is believed that these open source tools can be customised and extended to other similar biogeographic studies that require data analysis at different scales.

The Origin of Building GIS Software Development Model

The current situation and causes of software crisis are first introduced in this paper, and then software engineering and software reuse technology used for solving software crisis are presented. GIS software development is continuously developing with software reuse technology, but it has its own industrial characteristics. The current software architecture and GIS software development techniques cannot meet the requirements of application development. Thus, a new generation of service-oriented GIS software architecture and GIS software development model are proposed. Superiorities of building-type GIS software development model are also briefly analyzed.

An integrated method to create habitat suitability models for fragmented landscapes

Given the pervasive influence of human induced habitat fragmentation in ecological processes, landscape models are a welcome advance. The development of GIS software has allowed a greater use of these models and of analyses of the relationship between species and habitat variables. Habitat suitability models are thus theoretical concepts that can be used for planning in fragmented landscapes and habitat conservation. The most commonly used models are based on single species and on the assignment of suitability values for some environmental variables. Generally the cartographic basis for modeling suitability are thematic maps produced by a Boolean logic. In this paper we propose a model based on a set of focal species and on maps produced by a fuzzy classification method. Focal species, selected by an expert-based approach, provide a practical way of extending the scope of habitat suitability models to the conservation of biodiversity at landscape scale. The utilisation of a classification method that applies a continuity criterion may allow more consideration of the connectivity of an area because it allows a better detection of ecological gradients within a landscape. We applied this methodology to the Tuscany region focusing on terrestrial mammals. Performing a fuzzy classification we produced five land cover maps and through image processing operations we obtained a suitability model which applies a continuity criterion. The resulting suitability fuzzy model seems better for the study of connectivity and fragmentation, especially in areas with high spatial complexity.

Expert Evaluation as Means of Promoting GIS Software Development

The Chinese government invested considerable resources in developing the GIS software industry. Expert evaluation has been used as an important mechanism for assisting the distribution of R&D funds and to assess the performances of the funded projects. The expert evaluation serves as a resolution of the information asymmetry between the funding agencies and the GIS software developers. The formation of the expert committee, the formulation of the evaluation guidelines and the test questions, as well as the conduct of the evaluation contribute to the characteristics of the information obtained from the evaluation. Improvements can be made in these areas so as to enhance the quality of the evaluation and to generate positive influences on the behavior of the software developers. Meanwhile, decision makers should be aware of the advantages and limitations of the expert evaluation.