GPS and GIS Glossary Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What does GPS stand for?

  • Geographic Positioning Service
  • Global Positioning System (correct)
  • Global Positioning Service
  • Geographic Positioning System

    • What is a Graphic User Interface (GUI)?

  • A type of satellite used in the Global Positioning System
  • A method for determining the location of ground control points on the earth's surface
  • A software standard for establishing menus, screens, and other elements for communicating with a computer (correct)
  • A type of interface between a spatial database and a DBMS table

    • What is the purpose of ground control points?

  • To establish the menus and screens of a Graphic User Interface
  • To support instructions sent between a spatial database and a DBMS
  • To provide reference points for rectifying the scale and accuracy of cartographic products (correct)
  • To determine the location of GPS satellites

    • What is the difference between a graphic and non-graphic interface?

    <p>A graphic interface is used for maps and spatial data, while a non-graphic interface is used for tabular data</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a key component of a Graphic User Interface?

    <p>Satellite transmitters</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of ground control points in cartography?

    <p>To provide reference points for rectifying the scale and accuracy of maps</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the process of highlighting all network nodes and links physically and logically connected to a selected test point called?

    <p>Network Tracing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In utility networks, what are the typical transactions for Pressure Networks related to?

    <p>Isolating nodes upstream or downstream</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of utility networks typically apply to sewer and storm systems?

    <p>Gravity Networks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What engineering analysis can be performed using records linked to highlighted features in a route or trace?

    <p>Asset management</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the process of modifying direction and ON/OFF position settings of links relative to nodes in Utility Networks called?

    <p>Node Adjustment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What kind of transactions are typically associated with Gravity Networks?

    <p>Isolating nodes upstream or downstream</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of an inset map on a larger map?

    <p>To show a more detailed representation of a specific area</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How are ground control points classified?

    <p>According to their horizontal and vertical accuracy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'layer' refer to in GIS mapping?

    <p>A logical grouping of map features to be viewed individually or in combination</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is indexing in GIS mapping?

    <p>Logically ordering information components by values in a key field</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the definition of an interface in GIS terminology?

    <p>A surface forming a common boundary between adjacent regions or substances</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are labels in the context of mapping?

    <p>&quot;Text posted on a map near a spatial feature&quot;</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of a legend on a map or chart?

    <p>To provide a sample of each symbol, line pattern, and shading along with annotations describing their meaning</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of a lookup table in a database?

    <p>To assign display parameters to each value in a field to generate thematic maps</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of a file that correlates a user-defined ID number with a machine-readable ID number?

    <p>To permanently assign a spatial feature with a machine-readable ID number that is subject to occasional change</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of a macro in a computer program?

    <p>To execute a sequence of commands as one command, customizing and streamlining basic software functions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the defining characteristic of a mainframe computer?

    <p>It houses the central processing unit (CPU), main memory, and control units in one large cabinet or a number of smaller ones grouped together</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of a lookup table in a database?

    <p>To assign display parameters to each value in a field to generate thematic maps</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an orthophoto?

    <p>An aerial photograph that has been rectified to remove distortions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of image rectification in the context of orthophotos?

    <p>To correct geometric distortions in the aerial photograph</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary advantage of using orthophotos over regular aerial photographs?

    <p>Orthophotos can be used to measure areas and distances accurately</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term is used to refer to software or hardware systems with intuitive user interfaces?

    <p>Out-of-the-box</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of GIS, what is an overlay?

    <p>A transparent sheet containing graphic information</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How are orthophotos typically delivered today?

    <p>As digital files (orthoimages)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    GPS and GIS Glossary

    • GPS stands for Global Positioning System, a hardware and software system designed to communicate with specialized satellites to determine ground location.
    • GIS (Geographic Information System) is a system that captures, stores, analyzes, and displays geographically referenced data.

    Graphic User Interface

    • Graphic User Interface (GUI) is a software standard used to establish the menus, screens, dialog boxes, buttons, edit boxes, pick lists, toggles, radio buttons, command input, and viewing screens used to communicate instructions to the computer and for the computer to communicate findings back to the user.

    Ground Control

    • Ground control refers to points on the surface of the earth with known coordinates as represented by some geographic grid reference system.
    • These points serve as reference points with which to rectify the scale and accuracy of cartographic products to the actual area on the ground that is represented.

    Utility Networks

    • Typical analytical transactions within Utility Networks include:
      • Modifying direction and ON/OFF position settings of links relative to nodes.
      • Isolating all network nodes and links both physically and logically connected to a selected test point.
      • Highlighting all logically connected network features, referred to as "Network Tracing".
      • Attribute records linked to highlighted features can be subsequently isolated to perform design analysis.

    Types of Utility Networks

    • There are two types of utility networks: Pressure Networks and Gravity Networks.
    • Pressure Networks typically apply to water, gas, steam, electric, and telephone systems.
    • Gravity Networks typically apply to sewer, storm, telephone, and sometimes electric utilities.

    Analysis

    • Typical analysis performed using records linked to highlighted features in a route or trace include:
      • Load loss
      • Traffic demand and capacity
      • Pressure loss
      • Maximum flow
      • Gradient
      • Asset management and other engineering analysis

    Indexing

    • Indexing refers to logically ordering information components by the values present in a key field.

    Inset Map

    • An inset map is a more detailed (larger scale) representation of a specific area on a map, usually placed in an uncluttered portion of the same sheet as the smaller scale main map.

    Interface

    • Interface refers to:
      • A surface forming a common boundary between adjacent regions, bodies, substances, or phases.
      • A junction between two or more components of an information system.
      • A point of interaction or communication between a computer and any other entity, such as a printer or human operator.

    Labels

    • Labels are text posted on a map near a spatial feature.
    • The source of the text typically is either a linked database record or a text element created by the cartographer at the location.

    Layer

    • A layer is a logical grouping of map features to be viewed individually or in combination.
    • This concept is similar to using transparent acetate overlays of different map features to add or remove visible map features.

    Legend

    • A legend is an explanation of the symbols, codes, names given variables, and other information appearing on a map drawing or chart.
    • Legends include a sample of each symbol, line pattern, shading, or hatching appearing on the map along with annotations describing the meaning of each.

    Lookup Table

    • A lookup table is a database table that assigns display parameters to each value in a field to generate thematic maps.
    • A list of values that are correlated to a range of other values.
    • For example, according to a soil type name, reference to this table can identify the corresponding compressive strength, percolation, and erosion potential rating.

    Macros

    • Macros are a sequence of commands executed as one command.
    • A series of specialized procedures or instructions in a computer language that can be replaced by a set of instructions that customize and streamline basic software functions.
    • Recorded and often complex sequence of keystrokes and mouse actions that can be played back with a single or simple combination of keystrokes.

    Mainframe

    • A mainframe is a central processing unit (CPU), main memory, and control units of a computer typically housed in one large cabinet or in a number of smaller ones grouped together.

    Orthophoto

    • An orthophoto is an aerial photograph that has had distortions due to elevation changes, variation in the distance from the camera to the ground at different locations, and aircraft movement removed.
    • The process of distortion removal is referred to as image rectification.
    • Orthophotos can be used to measure areas and distances within the limits of their horizontal accuracy.

    Out-Of-The-Box

    • Out-of-the-box refers to a software or hardware system with a user interface so intuitive that it can be implemented without little or no training or reference to documentation.

    Overlay

    • An overlay is something that is laid over or covers something else.
    • In a manual graphic information system, a transparent sheet containing graphic information, such as labels, symbols, or colored areas, defined in a manner to expedite being viewed and interpreted in conjunction with other data overlays with a common coordinate system.
    • In an automated spatial information system, same as a manual system except that all overlays are in a digital format for viewing and interpretation on a CRT screen.

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    Test your knowledge on acronyms like GPS (Global Positioning System) and terms related to GIS (Geographic Information System) like Graphic User Interface. Explore a glossary from mass.gov for more GIS terms.

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