Storing and Manipulating Simple and Complex Features in Database Management Systems
Peter J. M. van Oosterom, E. Verbree, A.P. Kap · 2000
The architecture of Geographic Information Systems (GISs) is changing: more and more the systems are based on the integrated architecture [21], that is also storing geometric data in the data base management system (DBMS) together with the other administrative data. The first step is having data types and operators for the geometric primitives: point, line, and polygon. This has reached the level of standardization and is now implemented in several commercial DBMSs. The next step is also having support for the topologically structured features in the DBMS, that is complex features. The DBMS can check and guarantee consistency and complex operations can be executed within the DBMS. The rule of thumb whether something belongs to the DBMS tasks or to a specific application is: whenever it concerns general and reusable aspects then this belongs to the DBMS. Despite the fact that the topology model are well know, it still remains an open issue how to implement these models completely within a relational DBMS. Background This integrated architecture can be contrasted to traditional approaches such as: the dual architecture (separate data base management systems for geometric and administrative data) and the layered