Spatial Data Analysis in the Dynamically Linked ArcView/XGobi/XploRe Environment

Abstract

In order to fully analyze spatial data, from satellite images to precision agricultural data, the user needs to do these three things: (1) display spatial locations and concomitant geographic variables on maps, (2) visualize these concomitant variables using more general interactive multivariate visualization methods, and (3) execute statistical analyses. At present, in order to accomplish those goals, three different kinds of software must be used: a Geographic Information System (GIS), a Dynamic Statistical Graphics (DSG) program, and a Statistical Computing Environment (SCE). We have developed a method to dynamically link three pieces of software, one in each category, so that they can exchange commands and data. The different data analytic and graphical methods of these packages complement each other. This linking increases ease and efficiency at all stages of spatial data analysis. The three programs are the GIS ArcView 3.0 TM , the DSG program XGobi, and the SCE XploRe 4. The A...