Spatial Reference ID and Geometry Field in PostGIS

This paper aims at completing an advanced phase of learning of PostGIS – the extension of PostgreSQL database – which focuses on the concepts like Spatial Reference ID (SRID), Geometry Field Here the basic information which is beneficial to the fresh learners in addition to the enhanced information which is helpful for the more experienced scholars are provided.

Novice researchers often give little thought to spatial data and its place in a database; therefore, the first part of the article is dedicated to expounding on the subject. You will also discover how PostGIS enlarges the functionality of PostgreSQL by allowing to store, retrieve, and compute geographic data.

Then, we open the concept of SRID which has the key role of an identifier of the coordinate system used in spatial data description. Knowledge about SRID is pivotal for proper spatial analysis and also when working with the changes of resolutions.

In the next chapter, the concept of the Geometry Field will be discussed in detail as this is the major area of PostGIS that enables the storage of geometric objects like point, line, and polygon. This way, you will acquire a more practical understanding of how to generate and manipulate geometric data with help of PostGIS. This study aims to discover the basic ideas connected to Spatial Reference ID (SRID) and Geometry Field in PostGIS, extension for the PostgreSQL database system This paper is suitable for novices who have a poor understanding of the basic principles as well as for those who expects more profound knowledge about this subject.

First, the reader is provided with the definition of spatial data and its representation in the databases. You will understand how PostGIS expands PostgreSQL functionalities for treating geographic data as a first class form of data.

Then, we are opening the concept of SRID which in fact is an identifier of the coordinate system used in spatial data. Thus, knowledge of the SRID plays an important role in the spatial analysis and resolution changes.

In the next section, we shall review Geometry Field, which is the core of PostGIS that is used to store geometric objects including point, lines, and polygon. In the practical class sessions you will how to build and handle geometry and shapes using PostGIS using instances as well as demonstrations.