Geographic information system software
GIS software encompasses a broad range of applications, all of which involve the use of some combination of digital maps and georeferenced data. GIS software can be sorted into different categories.[1] Below is a list of notable GIS software applications. Please update the listing of software below with respect to the different categories.
Open source software
The development of open source GIS software has - in terms of software history - a long tradition[2] with the appearance of a first system in 1978. Numerous systems are nowadays available which cover all sectors of geospatial data handling.
Desktop GIS
The following open source desktop GIS projects are reviewed in Steiniger and Bocher (2008/9)[3]:
- GRASS GIS – Originally developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, open source: a complete GIS
- SAGA GIS – System for Automated Geoscientific Analyses- a hybrid GIS software. SAGA has a unique Application Programming Interface (API) and a fast growing set of geoscientifc methods, bundled in exchangeable Module Libraries.
- Quantum GIS – QGIS is an Open Source GIS that runs on Linux, Unix, Mac OS X, and Windows.
- MapWindow GIS – Free, open source GIS desktop application and programming component.
- ILWIS – ILWIS (Integrated Land and Water Information System) integrates image, vector and thematic data.
- uDig
- gvSIG – Open source GIS written in Java.
- JUMP GIS / OpenJUMP – (Open) Java Unified Mapping Platform (the desktop GIS OpenJUMP, SkyJUMP, deeJUMP and Kosmo emerged from JUMP; see [3])
other:
- Whitebox GAT – Open source and transparent GIS software
- Kalypso (software) – Kalypso is an Open Source GIS (Java, GML3) and focuses mainly on numerical simulations in water management.
- TerraView – GIS desktop that handles vector and raster data stored in a relational or geo-relational database, i.e. a frontend for TerraLib.
- Capaware – Capaware is also an Open Source GIS, an incredible fast C++ 3D GIS Framework with a multiple plugin architecture for geographic graphical analysis and visualisation.
- FalconView – FalconView is a mapping system created by the Georgia Tech Research Institute for the Windows family of operating systems. A free, open source version is available.
- Geopublisher is a Java desktop application to create multilingial, interactive maps and publish them online and offline.[4]
Other GIS tools - classified
Note, for different categories of GIS tools see GIS software and [1].
WebMap Server
- Mapnik - C++/Python library for rendering - used by OpenStreetMap
- GeoServer
- GIServer – Geo-spatial server like ArcGIS Server.
- MapGuide Open Source – Web-based mapping server.
- MapServer – Web-based mapping server, developed by the University of Minnesota.
Spatial Database Management Systems
- PostGIS – Spatial extensions for the open source PostgreSQL database, allowing geospatial queries.
- MySQL Spatial
- TerraLib is a spatial DBMS and also provides advanced functions for GIS analysis.
- Spatialite – Spatial extensions for the open source SQLite database, allowing geospatial queries.
Software Development Frameworks and Libraries (non-web)
- GeoTools – Open source GIS toolkit written in Java, using Open Geospatial Consortium specifications.
- GDAL / OGR
- Orfeo toolbox
Software Development Frameworks and Libraries (for web applications)
- OpenLayers – open source AJAX library for accessing geographic data layers of all kinds, originally developed and sponsored by MetaCarta
- GeoBase (Telogis GIS software) - Geospatial mapping software available as a Software development kit, which performs various functions including address lookup, mapping, routing, reverse geocoding, and navigation. Suited for high transaction enterprise environments.
Cataloging application for spatially referenced resources
- GeoNetwork opensource – A catalog application to manage spatially referenced resources
Other GIS tools - unclassified
- Chameleon – Environments for building applications with MapServer.
- DIVA-GIS useful for ecology and biological distribution data
- MapPoint, a technology ("MapPoint Web Service," previously known as MapPoint .NET) and a specific software program created by Microsoft that allows users to view, edit and integrate maps.
- Ortelius Vector-based map illustration drawing tools from Mapdiva, LLC, reads shapefile information, for Mac OS X. Free Trial.
- Eagle 2.0 Eagle 2.0 is a Web Based vector map Engine, computer system capable of capturing, storing, analysing, and displaying geographically referenced information; that is, data identified according to location.
Notable commercial or proprietary GIS software
Desktop GIS provider
Note: Almost all of the below companies offer Desktop GIS and WebMap Server products. Some offer Spatial DBMS products as well. ToDo: rewrite, so that not products are mentioned but the product user groups i.e. application fields
Companies with High Market Share
- Autodesk – Products include Map 3D, Topobase, MapGuide and other products that interface with its flagship AutoCAD software package.
- Bentley Systems – Products include Bentley Map, Bentley PowerMap and other products that interface with its flagship MicroStation software package.
- ERDAS IMAGINE by ERDAS Inc; products include Leica Photogrammetry Suite, ERDAS ER Mapper, and ERDAS ECW JPEG2000 SDK (ECW (file format))are used throughout the entire mapping community (GIS, Remote Sensing, Photogrammetry, and image compression).
- ESRI – Products include ArcView 3.x, ArcGIS, ArcSDE, ArcIMS, ArcWeb services and ArcGIS Server.
- IDRISI – GIS product developed by Clark Labs, a part of Clark University. Economical but capable, it is used for both operations and education.
- Intergraph – Products include GeoMedia, GeoMedia Professional, GeoMedia WebMap, and add-on products for industry sectors, as well as photogrammetry.
- MapInfo by Pitney Bowes – Products include MapInfo Professional and MapXtreme. integrates GIS software, data and services.
- RegioGraph by GfK GeoMarketing; GIS software for business planning and analyses; company also provides compatible maps and market data.
- Smallworld – developed in Cambridge, England (Smallworld, Inc.) and purchased by General Electric and used primarily by public utilities.
Companies with Minor but Notable Market Share
- Albireo Telematics Albireo Telematics is a leader in providing solutions and services for the Geospatial & GIS, Defense and Homeland Security and Engineering sectors.
- Cadcorp – Products include Cadcorp SIS, GeognoSIS, mSIS and developer kits
- Caliper – Products include Maptitude, TransModeler and TransCAD
- ENVI - Utilized for image analysis, exploitation, and hyperspectral analysis.
- Manifold System – GIS software package.
- Netcad – Desktop and web based GIS products developed by Ulusal CAD ve GIS Çözümleri A.Ş.
- SPATIALinfo – Products include spatialNET, spatialWEB, spatialOFFLINE, BILLINGsync, ADDRESSmanager, MAPupdater, and spatialWEBSERVICES.
- Dragon/ips – Remote sensing software with some GIS capabilities.
- Everest GIS – Simple GIS application for surface mapping.
- Field-Map : GIS tool designed for computer aided field data collection, used mainly for mapping of forest ecosystems.
Spatial DBMS
- Boeing's Spatial Query Server (Official Site) spatially enables Sybase ASE.
- DB2 – Allows spatial querying and storing of most spatial data types.
- Informix – Allows spatial querying and storing of most spatial data types.
- Microsoft SQL Server 2008 – The latest player in the market of storing and querying spatial data. At this stage only MapInfo products can read and edit this data while ESRI and others are expected to be able to read and edit this data within the next few months
- Oracle Spatial – Product allows users to perform complex geographic operations and store common spatial data types in a native Oracle environment. Most commercial GIS packages can read and edit spatial data stored in this way.
- PostGIS –
ArcGIS Extensions
- TractBuilder Drafting Tools – Tools designed for the ArcGIS user to be able turn legal descriptions into polygons.
Spatial ETL Tools
- Safe Software – Spatial ETL products including FME Desktop, FME Server and the ArcGIS Data Interoperability Extension.
See also
References
- ^ a b "GIS Software - A description in 1000 words", S. Steiniger and R. Weibel
- ^ "Open Source GIS History - OSGeo Wiki Editors". Retrieved 2009-Mar-21.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ a b "An Overview on Current Free and Open Source Desktop GIS Developments - Steiniger and Bocher". Retrieved 2008-Aug-25.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ Erstellung von Multimedia-Atlanten mit Geopublisher, Krüger, Stefan A.; Judex, Michael und Thamm, Hans-Peter (2009)