Abstract
In this paper we present an object-oriented approach for designing GIS applications; it combines well known software engineering practices with the use of design patterns as a conceptual tool to cope with recurrent problems appearing in the GIS domain. Our approach allows the designer to decouple the conceptual definition of application objects from their spatial representation. In this way, GIS applications can evolve smoothly, because maintenance is achieved by focusing on different concerns at different times. We show that our approach is also useful to support spatial features in conventional applications built with object-oriented technology. The structure of this paper is as follows: We first introduce design patterns, an efficient strategy to record design experience; then we discuss the most common design problems a developer of GIS applications must face. The core of our method is then presented by explaining how the use of decorators helps in extending objects to incorporate spatial attributes and behavior. Next, we analyze some recurrent design problems in the GIS domain and present some new patterns addressing those problems. Some further work is finally discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
C. Alexander, S. Ishikawa, M. Silverstein, M. Jacobson, I. Fiksdahl-King, and S. Angel. A Pattern Language. Oxford University Press: New York, 1977.
S. Aronoff. Geographic Information Systems: A Management Perspective. WDL Publications: Ottawa, Canada, 1989.
A. Dallari Bonfatti and P.D. Monari. “Capturing more knowledge for the design of geological information systems,” in Proc of ACM-GIS'95, Baltimore, Maryland, USA, 1–7, 1995.
Coplien and Schmidt (Eds.). Pattern Languages of Program Design. Addison Wesley, 1995.
M. Fowler. Analysis Patterns: Reusable Object Models. Addison Wesley, 1997.
R. Helm Gamma, R. Johnson, and J. Vlissides. Design Patterns. Elements of reusable Object-Oriented Software. Addison Wesley, 1995.
S. Gordillo, F. Balaguer, and F. Das Neves. “Generating the architecture of GIS applications with design patterns,” in Proc. of the ACM-GIS'97: Advances in Geographic Information Systems, Las Vegas, USA, November 13–14, 1997.
S. Gordillo and F. Balaguer. “Refining an object-oriented GIS design model: Topologies and field data,” in Proc. of the ACM-GIS'98: Advances in Geographic Information Systems, Washington, USA, November 6–7, 1998.
B.U. Pagel Kosters and H.W. Six. “Object-Oriented requirements engineering for GIS applications,” in Proc. of the ACM 3rd ACM International Workshop on Advances in Geographic Information Systems, ACM-GIS'95, Baltimore, Maryland, USA, 61–68, 1995.
M.A. Casanova Medeiros and G. Camara. “The Domus project. Building an OODB GIS for environmental control,” in Proc. of IGIS'94, International Workshop on Advanced Research in GIS, Springer Verlag LNCS, N. 884, 45–54, 1994.
Open GIS Consortium (OGC). 1996B, The Open GIS Guide-A Guide to Interoperable Geo-processing, Available at http://ogis.org/guide/guide1.htm
G. Plumb. “Cartography and map design workshop book,” Urban and Regional Information System Association 1460 Renaissance Dr.; Suit 305 Park Ridge, IL 60068, July 1997.
M. Postmesil. “Maps alive: viewing geospatial information on the WWW,” in Proc. of the six International World Wide Web Conference, 1997, Available at http://www6.nttlabs.com/Hypernews/get/PAPER130.htm.
M. Rumbaugh, M. Blaha, M. Premerlani, and W. Lorensen. Object-Oriented Modeling and Design. Prentice Hall: Englewoods Cliff, New Jersey, 1991.
D. Schmidt. “Using design patterns to develop reusable object-oriented communication software,” Comm. of the ACM, 65–74, October 1995.
J. Star and J. Estes. Geographic Information Systems. An Introduction. Prentice Hall, 1990.
N. Tryfona and T. Hadzilacos. “Geographic applications development: models and tools for the abstract level,” in Proc. of ACM-GIS'95, Baltimore, Maryland, USA, 19–28, 1995.
J. Yoder and J. Barcalow. “Application security,” in Proc. of Pattern Languages of Programming, Vol. 2: Roles and Analysis. Urbana-Champaign, Monticello, Illinois, USA, 1997.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gordillo, S., Balaguer, F., Mostaccio, C. et al. Developing GIS Applications with Objects: A Design Patterns Approach. GeoInformatica 3, 7–32 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009809511770
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009809511770