1. Lectures
2. Online tutorials
3. Problem-based Learning(s)
4. Assignment(s)
5. Presentation(s)

1. File Systems & Databases
2. Data Models: Hierarchical, Network & Relational models, Object-Oriented Databases and NoSQL Databases
3. The Relational Database Model & Entity-Relational Modeling
4. Normalization of Database Tables
5. Introduction to SQL & Query Processing
6. Transaction Management & Concurrency Control
7. Distributed Database Management Systems: Database structures, concepts, uses, available DBMS in the market
8. Spatial Database: concepts, data types, applications
9. Overview of GIS Data Models: vector, raster formats
10. GIS Data Structure: Overview, methods, chain codes, run length codes, block codes

There are 4 functional aspects of spatial information, namely;

1. Database systems
2. Cartography
3. Communication
4. Spatial analysis

Spatial database system are powered by its spatial indexing and data processing capabilities for various applications

A new conceptualisation for spatial information functions

1. Data collection technology
2. DBMS is foundation for storing large amounts of data
3. Spatial analysis explore relationships among phenomena
4. Map visualization/Geovisualization for depicting those relationships

Others

• Data communications
• Decision science
• Mobile collection and displays
• High performance computation

In today's world, data is all over(abundant, global, everywhere) & pervasive(unescapable, prevalent, persistent)

• Databases are the best way to store and manage data
• Databases make data persistent and shareable in a secure way

Databases, are specialized structures that allow computer-based systems to store, manage, and retrieve data very quickly

• Data >> information >> Decisions

From birth to death, we generate and consume data.

A typical spatial database system is an ordinary database with additional capabilities and functions to handle spatial data

These capabilities and functions are

• Spatial data types
• Spatial indexing
• Spatial operators
• Spatial application routines

SDS represent a data-based and user-centric approach to spatial information in 3 dimensions, namely;

• Stewardship - custodian of information mandated by law
• Sharing - spread the cost across units with organization
• Commodification - ownership in data and information, sales of value

Single-user

• Personal database
• Single user database management system (DBMS)

Workgroup

• Department/Application database
• Workgroup sever DBMS

Enterprise database

• Multiple workgroups large server; several servers DBMS

Consortium database

• Multiple enterprises; server archiving DBMS

Typical strategy for migrating from GIS to SDS

Robust core of GIS being DBMS is certainly a trend that continues

Technologies mature and grow together

Project management principles and skills are increasingly important

Decision support applications of spatial databases are becoming increasingly important

User Needs Assessment (UNA) is a term similar to:

• Systems analysis - understand workings of system by decomposing the work activity
• Functional requirements study - what capabilities are needed
• Business functions - what business functions are to be supported
• Requirements engineering - specification of functional capabilities needed

User need defines what a typical user requires of a database

But the challenges vary according to

• Problem comprehension - what is understood about the world
• Communication - allows us to gain meaning
• Problem and system structure match under conditions of continuous change
• Interdependency of needs among applications

Facilitate knowledge transfer and integration between users and designers

Identify business problems and associated business function activities

Provide coherent framework for business information objects and activities

Evaluate the functional feasibility of proposed database

Structured and systematic approach for identifying desired system functions

Reconcile different user needs associated with business functions and activities

Outline framework for sharable information services and interoperability

Document analysis - scour documents for insights about what is to be done

Job observations - participant observation of information work activity

Questionnaires - ask questions about activities

Interviews - face-to-face discussion about information activity

Focus group discussion - brainstorming sessions get people to share insights

Needs development

• Elicitation
• Analysis
• Specification
• Verification

Needs management

• Rapid Prototyping

Documentation of the outcomes

Development

• Elicitation - collecting information needs from users that imply data and software capabilities
• Analysis - decomposing the high-level needs statements into details that describe the features of the system
• Specification - document the findings
• Verification - checking the elicitation, analysis, and specification to make sure expressions are representative of the needs

Management

• Organize the documents so one can update them
• Maintain the documents over time for currency

Queries about this Lesson, please send them to: jmwaura@jkuat.ac.ke

*References*

• Database Systems: Design, Implementation, and Project Management, Springer. Albert K W Yeung & G. Brent Hall
• Database Systems: Design, Implementation, and Management, 12th ed. Carlos Coronel & Steven Morris
• Database Modeling and Design; Logical Design, 5th ed. Taby Teorey et.al
• Fundamentals of database systems, 6th ed. Ramez Elmasri & Shamkant B. Navathe