A Spatial Structural Query Language-G/SQL

Traditionally, Geographical Information Systems can only process spatial data in a procedure-oriented way, and the data can't be treated integrally. This method limits the development of spatial data applications. A new and promising method to solve this problem is the spatial structural query language, which extends SQL and provides integrated accessing to spatial data. In this paper, the theory of spatial structural query language is discussed, and a new geographical data model based on the concepts and data model in OGIS is introduced. According to this model, we implemented a spatial structural query language G/SQL. Through the studies of the 9-Intersection Model, G/SQL provides a set of topological relational predicates and spatial functions for GIS application development. We have successfully developed a Web-based GIS system-WebGIS-using G/SQL. Experiences show that the spatial operators G/SQL offered are complete and easy-to-use. The BNF representation of G/SQL syntax is included in this paper.