The Design of Relational Database for Multipurpose WebGIS Applications

Abstract

GIS concepts and applications evolved from a desktop-based into web-based and mobile. These changes require a new approach in the GIS database, from spatial data separation and attribute data into a database structure approach. The problem is the database for GIS is generally designed just for specific users, objects, and territory scopes, so it can't be applied to other applications. This paper proposed a relational database model (RDBM) design that can accommodate new changes and needs in the user's aspect, the objects that are processed and displayed, and the scope of the region in GIS Web Applications (WebGIS). The study was conducted in 3 stages, namely a preliminary study to obtain an overview of the concept, design, and application of RDBM on various WebGIS. Next, identified potential problems in database design for WebGIS, and finally proposed an alternative solution in the form of a new database design template that could accommodate the possibility of new changes and needs. Database design is done using MySQL. The database design process for WebGIS applications needs to anticipate the possible growth and development of different user group data, object categorization to subcategories, and the scope of the object area. Designs that meet these criteria can be done from the beginning of the design process, that is by changing two things. First, change the view of the database designer from the user view level to the conceptual view level so that the database design results can be used by several different applications. Second, expand the view of the database designer from the specific scope into a broader scope in the user aspect, object categorization, and territory coverage. Thus, the database design obtained will be in accordance with the RDBM concept.