LAB 3:
ATTRIBUTE TABLE AND FIELD CALCULATOR
PROGRAM:
AT220
GROUP:
6A
COURSE:
AGR 638 – PRECISION AGRICULTURE
STUDENT NAME:
ZUL FIKRI HADI BIN ZUL AZLAN
STUDENT ID:
2022864984
COURSE’S LECTURER:
TS. ZUBAIDAH BINTI YUSOP
INTRODUCTION
Numerous applications in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), ranging
from resource allocation and infrastructure development to urban planning and
environmental management, depend on the management and analysis of spatial
data. In GIS data management, the Attribute Table and the Field Calculator are two
essential elements.
Any GIS dataset's central component is the attribute table, which contains
data about spatial features like geographic locations, land use types, and
demographics. In the attribute table, a spatial feature is represented by each row,
and a particular piece of information (or attribute) about that feature is contained in
each column. In a city map, for instance, a row might stand for a specific city, and
columns could contain information about the city's elevation, area, or population.
One of the most useful tools in GIS is the Field Calculator, which enables
users to automate data manipulation or carry out calculations within these attribute
tables. Users can apply sophisticated mathematical formulas, logical expressions, or
string manipulations to data, as well as create new fields and update existing
attributes, using the Field Calculator. Streamlining workflows, automating tedious
tasks, and carrying out spatial analysis effectively all depend on this functionality.
OBJECTIVE
1. To learn about attribute table (open, edit, add field, calculate geometry etc).
2. To learn about field calculator.
PROCEDURE
1. Previous project was opened by navigating the folder.
2. Attribute table was opened.
Right button was clicked at the “Tree” Layer in Table of Content >Open
Attribute Table
3. Add Field
Option table was clicked > Add field
Figure 1: Shows the “Tree” layer in table of content.
Name of “X_Cord”, type “Float”, Precision “6” and scale “4” was typed in
add field window.
Field added:
o Y_cord, float, precision “6”, scale “4”
o Tree_Name, Type “Text”, length “20”
o Age_Year, short integer, precision “2”
o Height_m, float, precision “4” scale “2”
o Height_ft, float, precision “5”, scale “3”
Figure 2: Shows the field name was added.
4. Calculate geometry was used to calculate area and coordinate infor extraction
to attribute table.
View>Data frame property>Coordinate sytem>Projected Coordinate
System>UTM>WGS 1984 UTM ZONE 47 N>Apply>OK was clicked.
“Area_m2” field was added in lake layer. Field was selected and Right
Click > Calculate Geometry > Choose Area > Use Coordinate System
of the data frame > Choose unit as square metres > OK.
Coordinate system for dataframe was converted back to Geographic
System WGS1984 before extracting the coordinate info of the shapefile.
Next, layer was selected “Tree”, Right click > Edit features > Start
editing.
Column of “X_cord” was selected > Right Click > Calculate Geometry.
In calculate geometry window, “X Coordinate of Point”, Coordinate system
GCS: “WGS 1984” was selected for property.
Steps for X_Coordinate was repeated for Y_Coordinate.
Figure 3: Shows the projejcted coordinate system properties.
Figure 4: Shows X_Cord and Y_Cord complete coordinate.
5. Features selection and Field Calculator for update in Attribute Table
“Select feature” icon was used in the toolbar.
Attribute table was opened and highlited features can be noticed.
Feature edit was clicked > Start editing.
Column preferred was right clicked > Field Calculator.
In Field Calculator window, Tree_Name, type String and type “Oil_Palm”
was selected.
Figure 5: Shows the calculator window.
Figure 6 Shows the highlited features.
6. Field calculator was used for unit conversion
• Right click at the column > Field Calculator > in Expression window
Height_m* 3.28084
Figure 6: Shows the complete attribute table after using field calculator.
TASK
1. 1. Explain four numeric data types used in ArcGIS (short integer, long integer,
float, double)
Short Integer
For storing small whole numbers, the Short Integer data type is utilised. Usually,
attributes that need integer values within a specific range are the ones that use it.
The short integer format is effective for smaller datasets because it only requires two
bytes of memory. Perfect for representing or counting small whole numbers, such as
classification codes, age, or the quantity of items.Perfect for representing or counting
small whole numbers, such as classification codes, age, or the quantity of items.
Long Integer
Compared to short integers, larger whole numbers are stored in the Long Integer
data type. When the values are greater than the range of short integers but do not
need the accuracy of floating-point numbers, it is utilised and requires 4 bytes of
memory. useful for displaying larger whole numbers, like large numerical identifiers,
elevation in meters, or population counts.
Float
Decimal numbers (also known as floating-point numbers) that need less accuracy
than double numbers are stored in the Float data type. It is appropriate for
computations that don't require a great deal of precision and uses 4 bytes of
memory. frequently employed for less accurate measurements, like area,
temperature, or specific scientific data types where a lesser degree of accuracy is
acceptable.
Double
The Double data type is used to store floating-point numbers more precisely. It
requires 8 bytes of memory and works best when calculations or representations of
decimal values need to be more accurate. vital for uses that demand a high degree
of precision, like financial computations, geographic coordinates (latitude/longitude),
and scientific measurements.
2. Explain function of field calculator.
Using a formula or expression, users can update the values in an existing field
using the Field Calculator. For instance, you can update a field to reflect a category
or classification based on other attribute values, or you can multiply the length and
width attributes to determine the total area of a feature.
In an attribute table, users can add new fields (columns), compute them, and
then fill them with data. In order to calculate a field for the population density based
on area and population, for example, this is helpful for adding new data layers that
are derived from existing attributes. Numerous mathematical operations, including
addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and more complex functions, are
supported by the Field Calculator.
It is helpful in the cases of calculating area where You can use the Field
Calculator to enter the area values in a new field if you have a polygon layer and
wish to determine the area for each feature. It is also helpful in categorizing data
where To classify land use types according to population density or other factors, you
could utilise the Field Calculator. Other than that, It helps in creating unique
identifiers where collected attribute fields to give each feature a distinct identity.
