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| Instructor: | Minhe Ji | Lectures & Labs: | W: 6:00–8:50 PM (ENV 336) |
| Office: | ENV 310G (565-2377) | UNT WebCT: | webct.courses.unt.edu |
| Email: | jminhe@unt.edu | Office hours: | WR: 3:00 – 4:30 PM |
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Course Objectives: Introducing the modern concepts of component programming and object-oriented data structures and their applications in developing custom GIS solutions. Students will learn how to 1) define spatial problems in an object-oriented perspective, 2) decompose spatial processes into discrete computer program procedures, 3) implement the conceptual model of GIS operations in an object-oriented visual programming environment, and 4) evaluate and optimize procedure performance.
Course Description: GIS technology has gained a great deal of attention from many different disciplines. The diverse nature of GIS applications requires that the system be customized and extended to accommodate the needs of specific implementation environments. The open system architecture coupled with object-oriented visual programming techniques has become the norm of modern GIS, and the demand for it has been increasing in both public and private sectors. To prepare students to meet the challenge of today and tomorrow's dynamic GIS market, this course examines the linkage between GIS and visual object-oriented programming and how it can be used to customize and expand GIS functions for different GIS applications. |
Textbooks and Supplementary Readings:
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| Grading Policies: Attendance is required and crucial to keeping up with the pace of the class. Although there is no grade penalty, the effect of skipping class will show immediately in your performance in the rest of the semester. Your performance is evaluated with two exams (20% each), four labs (10% each), and one group project (20%). Labs are usually due in two weeks from the handout date. Late labs will be marked down by 10% per day. There is no makeup exam. The course grade will strictly follow the 90-80-70-60 breakdowns. |
| Extra Requirements: Graduate students of this class are required to complete a system design for an additional GIS application of their choice. The work must be presented in the form of a written proposal and with a flowchart. A sample proposal will be distributed in class. |
| Disabled Student Assistance: Any student who, because of a disabling condition, requires special arrangements in order to meet the course requirements should contact the instructor before the 4th class period of this semester to make necessary accommodations. |
Course Outline: (Note: S - Schneider, H - Hartman, MO - MapObjects)
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Class Date |
Major Topics |
Readings & Assignments |
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08/30 |
Basic concepts of the open GIS architecture, OO programming environment, GIS object models, VB basics: objects, events, data types, program input and output, built-in functions |
S1-3, H1 |
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09/06 |
Procedural programming: sub procedures, functions, and modular design |
S3-4, H2 |
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09/13 |
Logic of programming: decision and repetition statements |
S5-6, HW1 |
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09/20 |
Data organization through arrays: array creation, access, control, and searching |
S6-7 |
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09/27 |
Disk file access: sequential and random-access files |
S8-9, HW2 |
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10/04 |
More controls and objects in VB; database management through VB |
S11-12 |
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10/11 |
Object-oriented programming and communicating with other applications. |
S13-14, |
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10/18 |
Understanding MapObjects basics (components, object model, diagram), Linking MapObjects to VB |
H3, 5-6, MO Help |
| 10/18 |
Midterm Examination (7:30 PM, CSAM) |
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10/25 |
Working with maps and layers: Layers collection (MapLayers, ImageLayers), DataConnection GeoDatasets, TrackingLayer, map extent and scale, map zooming, panning, and resizing |
H7, MO Help, |
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11/01 |
Cartographic rendering of map features: Symbol, TextSymbol, String collection, Renderers (ValueMapRenderer, ClassBreaksRenderer, DotDensityRenderer, LabelRenderer), MoPlus (LabelPlacer, ChartRenderer, GroupRenderer) |
H8, MO Help |
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11/08 |
Spatial and attribute data queries: Recordset, Statistics, Query tools (SearchByShape, SearchByDistance, SearchExpression), relate and query external tables |
H9, MO Help, |
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11/15 |
Creating and editing feature geometry and attribute data |
Handout, MO Help |
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11/22 |
Projection and coordinate transformation |
Handout, MO Help |
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November 23-26: Happy Thanksgiving Holidays! |
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11/29 |
Matching addresses and locating places (AddressMatcher, AddressLocation, Address, PlaceLocator) |
Handout, MO Help |
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12/06 |
Group project presentation and evaluation |
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12/13 |
Final Examination (6:00 PM, CSAM) |
All Assignments Due |