Spring: Integrating remote sensing and GIS by object-oriented data modelling

This work discusses the design and implementation of SPRING, a geographical information system designed to support environmental projects over large spatial data base. SPRING is based on an object-oriented data model, which caters for the diversity of data sources and formats, and combines the ideas of “fields” and “objects”. The system includes functions for image processing, geographical analysis and digital terrain modelling, integrated with a spatial data base environment. The paper describes the project objectives, the object-oriented data model, the LEGAL spatial language and system functionality.