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Lexicon A
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GIS Lexicon - A

20 terms

What is GIS in education?

Academic

Academic GIS refers to using geographic information systems in education and scientific research at universities and colleges. Students learn to collect, model, analyze, and visualize data; researchers apply GIS in…

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What is access control in GIS applications?

Access Control

Access control in GIS governs who may use geographic data and functions, based on authentication (identity) and authorization (rights). It protects confidential layers, prevents unauthorized changes, and supports…

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What is user administration in GIS?

Administration

Administration in GIS platforms covers managing users, roles, permissions, organizational structure, and system configuration. Administrators decide who may view, edit, or publish which layers, and how applications such…

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What are aerial imagery for GIS?

Aerial Imagery

Aerial imagery consists of photographic captures of the Earth's surface from aircraft, drones, or satellites. It provides current or historical views of terrain and is widely used as a background layer in GIS and web…

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What is data aggregation?

Aggregation

Aggregation in GIS means combining or summarizing geographic data at a higher level. Examples include counting points per district, averaging values per raster cell, or clustering many objects into one map symbol.

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What is AI in GIS?

AI in GIS

AI (artificial intelligence) in GIS covers techniques such as machine learning and deep learning applied to geodata. Goals include automatic object detection on aerial imagery, land-use classification, trend prediction,…

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What is spatial analysis?

Analysis

Analysis in GIS is the systematic examination of geodata to find patterns, relationships, and answers to spatial questions. It ranges from simple queries (which objects fall in this area?) to complex operations…

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What is BI in GIS?

Analytics

Analytics in GIS focuses on measuring, comparing, and interpreting spatial data for insight and decision-making. It often combines statistics, dashboards, and location data to show KPIs, trends, and scenarios.

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What is map annotation?

Annotation

Annotations are text, symbols, arrows, dimensions, or other markings added to a map to provide explanation, emphasis, or context. They make a map readable for audiences without requiring every object to have a separate…

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What is an API?

API

An API (Application Programming Interface) is a standardized way for software applications to communicate. In GIS, an API lets other applications retrieve, filter, visualize, or update geodata without direct access to…

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What are GIS applications?

Applications

GIS applications are concrete software solutions that provide geodata and map functionality for specific tasks and audiences. They are the visible end product users work with, unlike generic platforms or raw data files.

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What is ArcGIS?

ArcGIS

ArcGIS is Esri's commercial GIS platform for desktop (ArcGIS Pro), server (ArcGIS Enterprise), and cloud (ArcGIS Online). It offers extensive tools for map production, analysis, fieldwork, and web service publication.

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What is GIS architecture?

Architecture

GIS architecture describes how components of a geo solution work together: data sources, servers, APIs, databases, clients, and security. Sound architecture keeps data current, scalable, and secure.

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What is asset management?

Asset Management

Asset management in GIS is managing physical and infrastructure objects with a known location: roads, pipelines, buildings, green assets, structures. The map is the central overview; attributes record condition,…

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What is a geodata attribute?

Attribute

An attribute is a descriptive property of a geographic object, such as street name, year built, area, or status. Where geometry captures location and shape, attributes capture what the object means in content terms.

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What is data quality in GIS?

Audit

Audit in GIS focuses on systematically checking data quality, processes, and compliance around geodata. It establishes whether data is complete, current, consistent, and reliable, and whether workflows meet agreements…

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What is authentication in GIS applications?

Authentication

Authentication is verifying the identity of a user requesting access to a GIS platform or geo service. Usually via username and password, SSO, or federated login (for example government ID).

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What is authorization in GIS applications?

Authorization

Authorization determines which rights and permissions an authenticated user has in a GIS environment: which layers are visible, which tools are usable, whether export and editing are allowed.

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What is automation in GIS?

Automation

Automation in GIS means routine tasks and workflows run without manual intervention: data import, validation, layer publication, report generation, or sync with external sources.

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What is GIS service availability?

Availability

Availability in GIS means map services, APIs, and data are reachable for users when needed, with minimal downtime. High availability is crucial for operational processes such as incident handling, crisis management, and…

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