WHAT’S IN POSTGRES DATABASE FOR A SURVEYOR…?

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It’s been a long time since I last posted anything engaging here, I mean such that could spur intellectual discussions. I’ve been keen to fully understand what’s in Postgres since I first encountered it.

Around October last year, I successfully set up a Microsoft access database for managing land survey record for my boss, even though it ordinarily could not make meaning of the geometry of the features represented. Accessing spatial data In Microsoft Access was on a proprietary level, so I stumbled upon PostgreSQL database while looking for an escape route.

PostgreSQL database is an open source database with POSTGIS extension to support spatial data. It runs on a development based server and could be accessed by a single user locally, although there are several ways of allowing multiple access to the database.

With simple lines of SQL codes, a user can interact with the database to get any desired result or for insights.

For a surveyor who cares less about coding, this database could be managed from QGIS environment. Basically, QGIS recognizes AutoCAD DXF files, these files are imported into Qgis and saved as vector shapefiles (which PostgreSQL accepts).

With PostgreSQL database installed in your operating system, and a database with postgis extension created, the POSTGIS extension in QGIS browser panel is linked (by a connection) to the Postgresql database in real time.

The advantages spans across- Ease of transaction

Back-ups (almost unlimited storage capacity…one table inside a database has 32 terabyte storage capacity)

Integrity checks

Less redundancy and Multi-user checks

Security and access control

Using simple SQL expressions to determine spatial relationships and spatial operations.

As always, the richness of GIS application is insights for decision making... At a glance, you see areas of comparative advantage, why its so, who/ what are influencing your results. With enough data at your reach, site selection analysis promises better decision for clients.

On the comment session below, please let us know how differently you've used PostgreSQL database and some of the hitches encountered.