Smallworld GIS
The Smallworld geographic information system is a geographic information system , a database system for managing geographical and topological information.
background
The Smallworld GIS is based on a 1989 paper written by Richard 'Dick' Newell, in which he names ten challenges that a geographic information system should overcome in his opinion:
- Acquisition of the topology
- Processing of large amounts of data
- Data storage without sheet cut
- Integration of external databases
- Version management
- Hybrid processing of raster and vector data
- Robust surface intersection
- Support of very large polygons
- More language skills
- Spatial query language.
The Smallworld GIS was developed on the basis of these requirements with the help of object-oriented methods and languages and was supplemented in 1990 by the object-oriented programming language Magik, which is now version 4.3.
Smallworld GIS has since 1993 on a CASE -tool for automating the creation of GIS data models, since 1995, in addition to Unix - even Windows supported platforms, exist since 1996 certified SAP interfaces, and since 1998 is the spatial data management with Oracle Spatial (then still SC) supported. The system was able to run under Linux in 1999 , has provided implementations of OGC specifications (e.g. WMS ) since 2001 , uses Smallworld 4 plug-in architectures in the current version and is currently configured on the basis of XML .
The Smallworld-Real-Welt-Concept
The core idea of the Smallworld GIS is the concept of "real world objects", or RWO for short .
This is understood to mean the modeling of differently abstracted images of the real world, depending on the problem, through the combination of the data contained, the underlying data models and the application logic.
A RWO does not differentiate between the data types that the individual attributes of an object have, be it alphanumeric, vector or raster data. The relationships between the objects also flow into the RWO modeling. The data integrity is ensured by encapsulating the data, which only allows defined access via published methods.
In addition to its unique identity, each RWO also has a specific behavior that allows it to react to external events in the technical context. So unwanted actions such. B. blocked by the object itself, or follow-up actions can be triggered directly for other objects.
The definition of the real world objects is supported by the Smallworld CASE tool. Data models defined with the CASE tool can be generated automatically. With the help of the metadata generated in this way and the inherited standard behavior, all functions required for creating, changing, searching for and displaying the objects are available directly, without any programming work.
An RWO is recorded regardless of its representation. Thus, the objects can appear completely different depending on the perspective and the task at hand. There is no fixed assignment of the objects to layers , but the user can freely choose the composition of the objects on relevant topics, the control of their visibility, presentation, display order, selectability, etc.
The Smallworld Core Technology
Smallworld GIS offers a core technology, the so-called Core Spatial Technology. Based on this, there are various applications that can be used to process a wide variety of processes in different industries. These applications are called industry shells. You will u. a. used by electricity providers, pipeline operators (oil and gas) or gas distribution network operators (e.g. municipal utilities). Smallworld GIS is based on a partner system. GE Energy provides the basic technology, while IT partners with extensive GIS experience drive the development of the industry models and other applications.
Individual evidence
- ^ Richard G. Newell, David G. Theriault: Ten Difficult Problems in Building a GIS . British Cartographic Society Symposium, Cambridge 1989 (English, blogspot.com ).