Essential GIS Workflows: Understanding GIS

Name: Essential GIS Workflows: Understanding GIS
Author: Wade Wilson

Learn the basics of GIS by exploring its components, coordinate systems, and map navigation

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Course: On-Demand

Hello, my name is Wade Wilson, and this module will cover the understanding of GIS, and in this lesson we explore the components of a GIS. GIS is an acronym for Geographic Information System. The first component of a GIS is software. Software is a computer program, or application used to access and utilize geospatial data. There are many GIS software programs for use that are both licensed and unlicensed, including open source and freeware. For this course I will be using Esri's ArcGIS Pro for instructional purposes and also demonstrations. The second component of a GIS system is hardware. Hardware is the computer system on which the software will be running. These computer systems can vary from mobile devices to laptops, all the way up to servers, even including servers running in the cloud, on the internet. It may include even multiple servers or a distributed system. The hardware and software components of a GIS are very closely related and must be considered together when beginning to use GIS. Always check the system requirements of software you intend to use to be sure your hardware meets the minimum requirements of that software. The third component of a GIS is the data. Data is more than just the information component of a GIS and includes tables, images, or simply information about the features that we're looking at. There are two main categories of data. One is raster data that's known as continuous data. The second is vector data that includes points, lines, and polygons and is discrete data. Fourth component of a GIS is people. People like you and I are an obvious component and the most critical to successfully using a GIS. People include both those with knowledge of using GIS software and then subject matter experts in the field that the GIS is being used as a tool for analysis, presenting information, or other purposes. The final component of a GIS is method, which is also referred to as process sometimes. The method component addresses the business need or the purpose for the GIS. This could be part of a business workflow, a business decision making process, business analysis, or just simply to gain knowledge in a particular field through the study of GIS data. Thanks for watching. Stay tuned for the next lesson where I'll cover the hardware and software components of GIS in more detail.

Beginner Provider : Wade Wilson 6 Lessons · 21m in Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese

Course Description

What GIS software is best for you? What types of data are used in GIS software? GIS is commonly used to understand patterns, relationships in data, and geographic context. To ensure that you are using GIS software to its full potential, it is important that you understand the different components that go into a functional GIS. Learning how to correctly navigate maps is also an essential skill, which is why this course will discuss coordinate systems and spatial reference in GIS.

In this course on Essential GIS Workflows: Components of a GIS, you will learn about the main components of a GIS. We will explore all the hardware, software, people, data, and methods that are involved in the utilization of a GIS. We will also cover coordinate systems and how to navigate maps within a GIS. By the end of this course, you will have a strong understanding of the different components that facilitate a working GIS.

What You'll Learn

Describe the key components of a GIS, including hardware, software, people, data, and methods
Identify the hardware and software components that make up a functional GIS
Explore the different roles people play in a GIS
Apply common GIS methods and present different types of data in a GIS
Understand coordinate systems and data projections within a GIS
Navigate maps in a GIS using spatial reference

Key Takeaways

A functional GIS is made up of several components: hardware, software, people, data, and methods.
GIS is commonly used to understand patterns, relationships in data, and geographic context.
Coordinate systems and spatial reference are essential for correctly navigating maps in a GIS.
Understanding the different components of a GIS helps you use GIS software to its full potential.
The course covers how to present different types of data and how to navigate a map within a GIS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will I learn in this course?

You will learn about the main components of a GIS, including the hardware, software, people, data, and methods involved in using a GIS. The course also covers coordinate systems, data projections, and how to navigate maps within a GIS.

What topics are covered in the lessons?

The lessons cover Components of a GIS, Hardware and Software, People and Methods, Data, Coordinate Systems, and Map Navigation.

What skills does this course help build?

The course relates to skills including Geographic Information Systems, Distributed GIS, Geoprocessing, GIS Applications, GIS Mapping, and GIS Certification.

What will I understand by the end of the course?

By the end of the course, you will have a strong understanding of the different components that facilitate a working GIS, as well as coordinate systems and how to navigate maps within a GIS.