Smallworld
The Small World Geographic Information System is a geographic information system, a database system for managing geographical and topological information.
The Smallworld GIS is based on a 1989 by Richard, Dick ' Newell authored paper with 10 challenges that have to cope with a geographic information system in his opinion:
Smallworld Technical Paper # 1: "Ten Difficult Problems in Building a GIS "
- Detection of the topology
- Processing large amounts of data
- Sheet cut loose data management
- Integration of external databases
- Version Management
- Hybrid processing of raster and vector data
- Robust surface intersections
- Support very large polygons
- Multi-language support
- Spatial Query Language
The Smallworld GIS was developed based on these requirements by using object-oriented methods and languages. To meet all requirements, the object-oriented programming language Magik was developed in 1990, which is present now in version 4.3.
The Smallworld GIS has since 1993 on a CASE tool for automating the creation of GIS data models, including UNIX, Windows platforms since 1995 support in addition, since 1996, there are certified SAP interface, and since 1998, the geospatial data management with Oracle Spatial (then yet supported SC). The system was established in 1999 run under Linux, since 2001 provides implementations of OGC specifications prepared (eg WMS), used 4 plug-in architectures in the current version of Smallworld and is currently configured based on XML.
The Small World -Real - world concept
The core idea of the Smallworld GIS is the concept of "real- world objects ' short ' RWO '.
This includes the modeling, depending on the problem differently abstracted, images of the real world understood by combining the data contained, the data underlying models and the application logic.
A RWO does not distinguish between the types of data that have the individual attributes of an object, be it alphanumeric, vector or raster data. Likewise, flow into the RWO modeling the relationships among these objects with a. By encapsulation of the data that allows only a defined access via published methods, data integrity is ensured.
In addition to the unique identity of each RWO also has a specific behavior that makes it react to external events in the professional context. Thus, for example, blocked by the object itself unwanted actions, or directly follow-up actions with other objects can be triggered.
The definition of the real world objects is supported by the Small World CASE tool. Defined with the CASE tool data models can be generated automatically. Use of this generated metadata and the inherited default behavior are all necessary for creating, modifying, searching and displaying the objects functions directly, without any programming work is available.
A RWO is detected regardless of its representation. Thus, the objects can represent completely different depending on the viewing point of view and task. Thus, there is no fixed assignment of objects to layers, but the user can compile the objects on relevant topics, control their visibility, presentation, presentation order, etc. selectability choose freely.
The Smallworld Core Technology
Smallworld GIS offers a core technology, the so-called Core Spatial Technology. Based on this, there are various applications that can be edited with the processes themselves in a variety of different industries. These applications are called NRMs. They are, inter alia, of electricity providers, pipeline operators (oil and gas ) or gas distribution system operators ( Stadtwerke ) are used. Smallworld GIS is based on a partner system. GE Energy provides the basis for development, while IT partner ahead with extensive GIS experience the development of NRMs and other applications.