PostGIS in Action

Summary

PostGIS in Action, Second Edition teaches readers of all levels to write spatial queries that solve real-world problems. It first gives you a background in vector-, raster-, and topology-based GIS and then quickly moves into analyzing, viewing, and mapping data. This second edition covers PostGIS 2.0 and 2.1 series, PostgreSQL 9.1, 9.2, and 9.3 features, and shows you how to integrate with other GIS tools.

Foreword by Paul Ramsey.

About the Book

Processing data tied to location and topology requires specialized know-how. PostGIS is a free spatial database extender for PostgreSQL, every bit as good as proprietary software. With it, you can easily create location-aware queries in just a few lines of SQL code and build the back end for a mapping, raster analysis, or routing application with minimal effort.

PostGIS in Action, Second Edition teaches you to solve real-world geodata problems. It first gives you a background in vector-, raster-, and topology-based GIS and then quickly moves into analyzing, viewing, and mapping data. You'll learn how to optimize queries for maximum speed, simplify geometries for greater efficiency, and create custom functions for your own applications. You'll also learn how to apply your existing GIS knowledge to PostGIS and integrate with other GIS tools.

Familiarity with relational database and GIS concepts is helpful but not required.

What's Inside

• An introduction to spatial databases
• Geometry, geography, raster, and topology spatial types, functions, and queries
• Applying PostGIS to real-world problems
• Extending PostGIS to web and desktop applications
• Updated for PostGIS 2.x and PostgreSQL 9.x

About the Authors

Regina Obe and Leo Hsu are database consultants and authors. Regina is a member of the PostGIS core development team and the Project Steering Committee.

Table of Contents

1. What is a spatial database?
2. Spatial data types
3. Spatial reference system considerations
4. Working with real data
5. Using PostGIS on the desktop
6. Geometry and geography functions
7. Raster functions
8. PostGIS TIGER geocoder
9. Geometry relationships
10. Proximity analysis
11. Geometry and geography processing
12. Raster processing
13. Building and using topologies
14. Organizing spatial data
15. Query performance tuning
16. Extending PostGIS with pgRouting and procedural languages
17. Using PostGIS in web applications

PART 1 INTRODUCTION TO POSTGIS PART 2 PUTTING POSTGIS TO WORK PART 3 USING POSTGIS WITH OTHER TOOLS

Regina Obe is a co-principal of Paragon Corporation, a database consulting company based in Boston. She has over 15 years of professional experience in various programming languages and database systems, with special focus on spatial databases. She is a member of the PostGIS steering committee and the PostGIS core development team. Regina holds a BS degree in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She co-authored PostGIS in Action.

Leo Hsu is a co-principal of Paragon Corporation, a database consulting company based in Boston. He has over 15 years of professional experience developing and thinking about databases for organizations large and small. Leo holds an MS degree in engineering of economic systems from Stanford University and BS degrees in mechanical engineering and economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He co-authored PostGIS in Action.