About the AGI GIS Dictionary

System Specification

The GIS Dictionary has been developed using Oracle version 7.1.3.2.0 for the VMS operating system running on the DEC ALPHA platform. Information is retrieved from the database using SQL statements contained within CGI (Common Gateway Interface) scripts written in DCL (DEC Command Language) which is a proprietory command language for VMS operating system. DCL was used for a number of reasons, but mainly because it is a verbose, and easily understood interpreted language with good string and file manipulation capabilities.

Hypertext links within the dictionary are generated on-the-fly using SQL. This means that this information did not need to be hard-coded into the database, and ensures consistency throughout the system. The HTML for the system conforms to the HTML 1.0 specification in order to ensure widespread compatibility amongst various graphical and non-graphical web browsers. All diagrams used within the GIS Dictionary have been created using CorelDraw version 4.0, and converted to GIF version 89a format. Again, this was to ensure compatibility with as many web browsers as possible.

Developers

The AGI GIS Dictionary was developed by:

Brian Patterson
patterbjm@cix.co.uk

Brian was responsible for the development of the basic system, including the underlying data model, SQL statements and the CGI scripts used to access the database, as well as compiling the list of terminology and the associated definitions. The dictionary was developed as part of his MSc Thesis while studying on the MSc programme in GIS at the University of Edinburgh. Since then Brian has moved on to pastures new although he retains responsiblity for the development of the system, is adding new terminology as time allows, and trying to respond to any feedback as quickly as possible.

Bruce Gittings
bruce@geo.ed.ac.uk

Bruce is responsible for internet developments for the AGI, provided the original idea and much valued design and technical support during the development of the GIS Dictionary and he also promptly guided Brian in the right direction when things were not going smoothly during the development of the system. Bruce is Asst. Director of the MSc GIS programme at the University of Edinburgh, and works very hard at educating budding GIS professionals.