"Problems with geo-data"

Abstract

This paper, which complements that given on “Data base research and development at UKSC”, will consider the implications of handling geographic data in that context. It surveys the practical and semantic problems of handling geographic data and summarises the requirements that must be satisfied by a coherent support system. The philosophy is presented of a geographic data type, taking an allowed range of values, and associated with an appropriate set of primitive operators. The implications of network geographic data are also considered. The interface between the system and the problem programmer is discussed, and implementation problems are explored with reference to conventional geographic processing technology, noting the inherent advantages and difficulties. An alternative strategy is outlined which offers the possibility of overcoming some of the present problems and acheiving significant advantages in terms of simplicity and performance. The paper concludes with a discussion on the potential for geo-data in processing as compared with that required solely for graphic output, and hence considers the true role of such data in pictorial applications.