6.5. Data Storage and Database Management

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is a spatial database?

   Hint

   Think about the types of data it manages.

2. 2.

   Name one vector data format.

   Hint

   It’s very widely used for geographic data.

3. 3.

   What is the purpose of spatial databases?

   • To store only numeric data
   • To manage spatial and attribute data
   • To create spreadsheets

   Hint

   Think about what makes spatial databases unique.

4. 4.

   True or False: Shapefiles are used for storing raster data.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Recall the definitions of vector and raster data.

5. 5.

   Design a hypothetical project that utilizes a spatial database for urban development, detailing how data formats, compression, and indexing will be used.

   Hint

   Consider various aspects of urban planning and how they need to be represented.

6. 6.

   Evaluate the impact on performance if a GIS was designed without spatial indexing strategies in place. Discuss potential bottlenecks.

   Hint

   Think about how you might feel waiting for information in your database.