Geographic information system or GIS is a computer system capable of capturing, assembling,
storing, manipulating, analyzing and displaying geographically
referenced information. With GIS, users can create interactive queries,
analyze spatial information, edit data, integrate maps, and present the
results of these tasks. GIS can be used to solve the location-based questions such
as “What is located here” or Where to find particular features? GIS user can
retrieve the value from the map, such as what proportion is the vegetation
cover in a land use/land cover (LULC) map. This can be done using query builder
tools. A geographic information system (GIS) lets us visualize,
question, analyze,and interpret data to understand relationships, patterns,
and trends. (ESRI) In the strictest sense, a GIS is a computer system capable
of assembling, storing, manipulating, and displaying geographically
referenced information(that is data identified according to their locations).
(USGS) .Next important feature of GIS is the capability to combine
different layers to show new information. For example, you can combine elevation
data, river Data, land use data and many more to show information about
the landscape of any area. From map, you can tell where is high land or
where is the best place to build house, which has the river view. GIS helps to
find new information.
Components of GIS
Hardware: Hardware is the physical component of the computer
and GIS runs on it. Computer can be standalone called desktop or
server based. GIS can run on both of them.
Software: GIS Software provides tools and functions to input
and store spatial data or geographic data. It provides tool to perform
geographic query, run analysis, model and display geographic data in the map form. GIS software uses Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) to store
the geographic data. Software talks with the database to perform
geographic query.
Data: Data are the fuel for the GIS and the most important
and expensive component. Geographic data are the combination of physical
features and it’s information which is stored in the tables. These tables are
maintained by the RDBMS.
People: People are the user of the GIS system. People use
all above three components to run a GIS system.
Method: Analysis in GIS platform always follow a standard
method to achieve the desired goals and to solve spatial problemS.