ArcGIS Workstation
GISC 6382 Applied GIS UT-Dallas Briggs
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Interface Options and POEC 6382
Three Interfaces
• ArcInfo 8 Windows-based GUI
– The latest
– full MS Windows compatibility
• Classic ArcInfo
– Command line based
• ArcTools
–
–
–
–
Primitive GUI (graphics user interface)
Built with Arc AMLs
Tedious menu system
Don’t confuse with ArcToolbox
GISC 6382 Applied GIS UT-Dallas Briggs
We’ll use
this mostly.
Will use
just a little-introduce today
Won’t use
this at all.
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What is Arc/INFO Workstation?
• A very sophisticated and voluminous set of tools and
commands for spatial data input, management, and analysis.
• Contains an internal database management system (INFO), but
can be connected to external standard data base environments
via SDE (Spatial Database Engine)
• Under UNIX, is command driven (over 2000 commands), with
GUI/application development capability via AML (Arc Macro
Language)
• Under XP/2000/NT, is supplanted by GUI-based product
ArcInfo Desktop (ArcCatalog, ArcMap, ArcToolbox)
• Command line driven ArcInfo Workstation still has its uses
GISC 6382 Applied GIS UT-Dallas Briggs
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Why cover workstation GIS at all?
• Only choice in a UNIX environment
• Still available in NT
• Legacy applications based on classic ArcInfo will be
with us for many years to come:
– Many AMLs
– Much data stored in coverages
• AML easier approach to automation than Visual Basic
• ArcToolbox is a GUI interface only: runs classic
ArcInfo commands underneath
• Step by step commands help understand what’s
happening
• Some things still only available here.
GISC 6382 Applied GIS UT-Dallas Briggs
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Arc/INFO workstation subsystems
Core subsystems:
– ARC - Arc is the overall GIS manager; it is not a graphic module.
Use Arc to:
• Generate and manage coverages in the database
• Convert data from other digital formats
• Perform spatial analysis in one or more coverages
– ARCPLOT - Arcplot is a graphical module for map display and query.
Use Arcplot to:
• Display spatial and attribute data for one or more coverages
• Query spatial and attribute characteristics
• Create layouts and maps, and generate plot files
– ARCEDIT - Arcedit is an interactive graphics editor.
Use Arcedit to:
• Digitize and edit one coverage at a time
• Correct errors in spatial and attribute data
– INFO - INFO is the relational data base management system (RDBMS).
ArcMap in ArcGIS Desktop combines the functions of ArcPlot and
ArcEdit, and includes many of the analysis capabilities of the Arc module.
GISC 6382 Applied GIS UT-Dallas Briggs
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Arc/INFO Workstation Subsystems, cont’d.
Extensions:
– GRID - Grid provides a fully-integrated raster (cell-based) geoprocessing system
for use with Arc/INFO. GRID supports a Map Algebra spatial language that allows
sophisticated spatial modeling and analysis. Example of use: resampling
• New equivalent is Spatial Analyst extension
– NETWORK - Network performs address matching/geocoding, allocation, routing,
and pathfinding across linear networks.
• New equivalent will be Network Analyst extension
– TIN - software used for 3D surface representation, modeling and display. A TIN
(Triangulated Irregular Network) is a set of adjacent, non-overlapping triangles
computed from irregularly spaced points with x, y coordinates and z values. The
TIN model stores the topological relationship between triangles and their adjacent
neighbors which allows for the efficient generation of surface models for the
analysis and display of terrain and other types of surfaces.
• New equivalent is 3D Analyst extension and ArcScene
– COGO - Abbreviation of the term COordinate GeOmetry. Used by land surveyors
and others who require accurate coordinate geometry to capture and edit survey
data, to calculate precise locations and boundaries, and to define curves.
• New equivalent will be ArcSurvey
– ArcScan - Scan digitizing for raster to vector conversion
– ArcStorm - Data storage facility and transaction manager for feature-oriented
georelational database management.
• Superceded by ArcSDE
GISC 6382 Applied GIS UT-Dallas Briggs
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Arc/INFO Workstation Subsystems, cont’d.
• ARC Macro Language (AML) - A high-level, algorithmic
language that provides full programming capabilities and a
set of tools for building menus to tailor user interfaces for
specific applications. It has an independent processor and
allows you to:
– Use AML directives and AML functions in any
subsystem, interactively or in programs.
– Build programs that incorporate Arc/INFO commands
– Create on-screen menus
• Being replaced by Visual Basic for Applications
– More flexible
– Information industry standard rather than GIS specialty
– But generally more complex to learn and use
GISC 6382 Applied GIS UT-Dallas Briggs
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Arc/INFO Workstation Subsystems, cont’d.
Other Subsystems:
– Tables - Tables is a tabular management system that uses INFO
files to create, store, edit, and query tabular data
– Librarian - Librarian is a separate set of software tools to manage
and access large geographical data sets in map libraries. A map
library is a collection of spatial tiles used to spatially partition large
data layers. Librarian commands create and define a map library,
move data in and out of a library, query the data in a map library,
and display the results of a query. Librarian requires exact
attribute consistency.
– ArcTools - ArcTools consists of 5 AML-based productivity tools,
implemented through a graphical user interface (GUI), for
common Arc/INFO operations and functions.
• Crude predecessor to ArcMap GUI, but now obsolete
• Do not confuse with ArcToolbox—very different
GISC 6382 Applied GIS UT-Dallas Briggs
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Commands
GISC 6382 Applied GIS UT-Dallas Briggs
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Commands for Workspace and Coverage
Management & Exploration
Workspace Management
Coverage Management
Listcoverages
lc
Workspace
(go to)
w
Copy
Createworkspace
cw
Kill
Renameworkspace
rw
Rename
Copyworkspace
cpw
Note: if a coverage folder is open
Deleteworkspace
dw
in NT Explorer, KILL and
RENAME will not work.
Listworkspace
lw
dir info (lists “hidden” files) Coverage Exploration
Describe <cover>
Items <cover>.pat
List <cover>.pat
GISC 6382 Applied GIS UT-Dallas Briggs
(basic info)
(lists variable names)
(lists actual data)
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Commands for Feature Attribute Tables
• Types of feature attribute tables:
– Points - Point attribute table - PAT
– Arcs - Arc attribute table - AAT
– Polygons - Polygon attribute table - PAT
Each contain both internally generated topological data
plus user defined attributes
• For general information on coverage (projection, etc.)
– Arc: describe <cover>
• To look at data variables (items) in a feature attribute table:
– Arc: items <cover>.pat(for point or polygon)
– Arc: items <cover>.aat (for arcs)
• To look at data stored in each item
– Arc: list <cover>.pat
– Arc: list <cover>.aat
Note: items and list require you to specify the extension .pat, .aat, etc.
GISC 6382 Applied GIS UT-Dallas Briggs
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Using Items command
• To look at the items (variables or attributes) available and their
characteristics (but not the actual data)
Arc: items pub.pat
COLUMN ITEM NAME
WIDTH OUTPUT TYPE N.DEC
1 AREA
4
12
F
3
5 PERIMETER
4
12
F
3
9 PUB#
4
5
B
13 PUB-ID
4
5
B
17 ID
8
12
F
0
25 NAME
25
25
C
50 ADDRESS
15
15
C
65 CITY
12
12
C
-
GISC 6382 Applied GIS UT-Dallas Briggs
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Using List Command
• To look at actual data stored
Arc: list lulcsp.pat
1
AREA
PERIMETER
LULCSP#
LULCSP-ID
LULC_CODE
LEVEL_I
LEVEL_II
2
AREA
PERIMETER
LULCSP#
LULCSP-ID
LULC_CODE
LEVEL_I
LEVEL_II
= ************
= 26829452.50
= 1
=
0
= 0
=
=
=12154654112
= 3137822.500
= 2
=
21
= 21
= AGRICULTURAL LAND
= CROPLAND/PASTURE
3
AREA
PERIMETER
LULCSP#
LULCSP-ID
LULC_CODE
Continue?
LEVEL_I
LEVEL_II
4
AREA
PERIMETER
LULCSP#
LULCSP-ID
LULC_CODE
LEVEL_I
LEVEL_II
5
AREA
PERIMETER
LULCSP#
LULCSP-ID
LULC_CODE
LEVEL_I
LEVEL_II
GISC 6382 Applied GIS UT-Dallas Briggs
= 11278215.000
= 17881.912
= 3
=
41
= 41
= FOREST LAND
= DECIDUOUS FOREST
= 2316684.250
= 6632.658
= 4
=
11
= 11
= URBAN OR BUILT-UP
= RESIDENTIAL
= 7348584.000
= 12674.189
= 5
=
41
= 41
= FOREST LAND
= DECIDUOUS FOREST
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Command Syntax Rules
• Command
1st_argument
2nd_argument
nth_argument
Required arguments are in square brackets
<cover>
Optional arguments are in curly brackets
{option}
Upper case keywords are typed as shown
COVER
Lower case words require substitution
<cover>
Keyword choices are separated by vertical
bars; first choice is the default value
Place holders for optional arguments
<POLY|LINE|POINT>
Indicates coordinate input from mouse
*
#
Example: build <cover> {POLY|LINE|POINT|NODE|ANNO.<subclass>}
build streets line
GISC 6382 Applied GIS UT-Dallas Briggs
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Getting Online Help
– You can display the complete or partial listings of available commands on the screen
by asking for COMMANDS at any Arc prompt:
• Arc: commands
• Usage: commands {prefix}
For commands beginning with the letter B
• Arc: commands B
• BATCH BUFFER
BUILD
– Usage lines summarize all arguments and options. To obtain,
type in a command name without any of its arguments and then hit enter:
• Arc: build
• Usage: build <cover> {POLY|LINE|POINT|NODE|ANNO.<subclass>}
– The USAGE command is an alternative way of displaying a usage line.
• Arc: usage build
• Usage: build <cover> {POLY|LINE|POINT|NODE|ANNO.<subclass>}
– You can launch online documentation (ArcDoc) with the help command
• Arc: help
• Or ArcDoc can be launched directly from the StartMenu in MSWindows
• ArcDoc is often better than the help in ArcGIS!!
GISC 6382 Applied GIS UT-Dallas Briggs
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