1. Lecture 04: Data Representation (II)
Topics
1. Measurement Systems:
Attribute: Data Types
Topology: Geometric Elements
Time: Time Schemes
2. Data in Computer:
Readings on the topics
Chapter 3 in the text, pp. 63 – 70
Other Readings
Chapter 2 in Bonham-Carter’s (1994), pp
Chapter 3 in Burrough and McDonnell (1998), pp

2. Lecture 04: Data Representation (II)
1. Measurement Systems:
1.1 Spatial Location: Coordinate Systems
1.2 Measuring Attribute Data: Attribute data types
A. Real world existence: Character and Numerical
B. Representation:
Character – String of characters or Integer
Numerical – Integer or Real (Floating Point)
C. Power of Measurement:
Nominal
Ordinal
Interval
Ratio

3. 1.3 Measuring Topology: Geometric Elements
A. Basic Elements:
Point
Line (Arc)
Polygon
B. Their Relations:
Within
Neighboring
Part of
1.4 Measuring Time: Model of Time
A. Linear
B. Cyclical

4. 2. Data in Computer:
2.1 Basic representation - Binary
2.2 Coding data:
[The ASCII Table]

5. Questions
1. What is the main difference between a categorical attribute
and an ordinal attribute? What is the main difference between
an ordinal attribute and an interval attribute?
2. What is spatial topology? How is it captured in GIS?
3. What is a linear time model and what is a cyclical time model?
4. How does a computer represent 11?
5. Why can I read some files using MS notepad but not other files?