PostGIS in Action, 2nd Edition

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.

Purchase of the print book includes a free eBook in PDF, Kindle, and ePub formats from Manning Publications.

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

PART 1 INTRODUCTION TO POSTGIS
Chapter 1. What is a spatial database?
Chapter 2. Spatial data types
Chapter 3. Spatial reference system considerations
Chapter 4. Working with real data
Chapter 5. Using PostGIS on the desktop
Chapter 6. Geometry and geography functions
Chapter 7. Raster functions
Chapter 8. PostGIS TIGER geocoder
Chapter 9. Geometry relationships

PART 2 PUTTING POSTGIS TO WORK
Chapter 1. Proximity analysis
Chapter 2. Geometry and geography processing
Chapter 3. Raster processing
Chapter 4. Building and using topologies
Chapter 5. Organizing spatial data
Chapter 6. Query performance tuning

PART 3 USING POSTGIS WITH OTHER TOOLS
Chapter 1. Extending PostGIS with pgRouting and procedural languages
Chapter 2. Using PostGIS in web applications