Abstract
Geospatial data modelling is dominated by the distinction between continuous-field and discrete-object conceptualizations. However, the boundary between them is not always clear, and the field view is more fundamental in some respects than the object view. By viewing a set of objects as an object field and unifying it with conventional field models, a new concept, the General Field (G-Field) model, is proposed. In this paper, the properties of G-Field models, including domain, range, and categorization, are discussed. As a summary, a descriptive framework for G-Field models is proposed. Then, some common geospatial operations in geographic information systems are reconsidered from the G-Field perspective. The geospatial operations are classified into order-increasing operations and non-order-increasing operations, depending on changes induced in the G-Field's order. Generally, the order can be viewed as an indicator of the level of information extraction of geospatial data. It is thus possible to integrate the concept of order with a geo-workflow management system to support geographic semantics.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 623-643 |
Number of pages | 21 |
Journal | International Journal of Geographical Information Science |
Volume | 22 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 2008 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- General Field model
- Geographic information system
- Non-order-increasing operation
- Order of General Field
- Order-increasing operation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Information Systems
- Geography, Planning and Development
- Library and Information Sciences