Develoment of a spatial database management system using object-relation database and web technology

Abstract

The increasing need of spatial data and the complexity of GIS analysis, has affected the importance of the availability GIS data as well as the method to provide the GIS data become a great challenge to meet the user needs. The utilization of Information Technology, especially Internet, has affected to the effectiveness of GIS data sharing, dissemination and how the data accessed and manipulated. Most of spatial database management manages the GIS data separate descriptive data management from geospatial data management (hybrid approach), which sometimes implies difficulties in data management such as querying, recovery, optimization and geometric computations. The objectives of this research are to; [1] develop a system of spatial database management using object-relational database and web technology, [2] develop a system and tools to store, access, retrieve and use the integrated spatial database. To avoid the weakness of hybrid approach, an integrated approach spatial database management system was used in this research. By taking the strength of Object Relational Database in managing complex process and complex querying, a web based application has been built to provide the front-end application to access GIS data through Internet/Intranet. The application system has some functionality such as: spatial database and meta- database management, spatial data and metadata catalog and presentation, and user management. By using this application system, both of data type can be managed in integrated approach, which means that all data stored within the same database management system, and keep the close relation between spatial data and attribute data or metadata. This approach is much better than hybrid approach in spatial database management system. Currently, the application system only handle shapefile data format. Even the map file and legend can generate dynamically (on the fly) by the application, but it is limited for geomorphology theme only. It is recommended to improve these capabilities to accept more different data format and improve the data sharing function (clearinghouse) by applying Z.39 protocol...dst