- ArcInfo
Infobox Software
name = ArcInfo
caption = Classic command line ARC/INFO.
author =
developer =ESRI
released =
latest release version = 9.3
latest release date = June 28, 2008
latest preview version =
latest preview date =
operating system = Windows, Solaris, AIX,Tru64 UNIX
platform =
language =
status =
genre =GIS
license =Proprietary
website = [http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcinfo/index.html esri.com/software/arcgis/arcinfo/index.html]ArcInfo (formerly called ARC/INFO) is a full-featured
geographic information system produced byESRI , and is the highest level of licensing (and therefore functionality) in theArcGIS Desktop product line. It was originally a command-line based system. The command-line processing abilities are now available through theGUI of the ArcGIS Desktop product.History
ARC/INFO
The first version of ARC/INFO was launched in 1982 on minicomputers, as ESRI claims, the very first modern GIS. As computing shifted to
Unix and Windows, ESRI followed launching ARC/INFO on both platforms. (A subset of ARC/INFO functionality was released as PC ARC/INFO for DOS in 1987 (see ad in PE&RS April 1988, p. 455) and released later for Windows). The program still exists in command-line form inArcGIS .As well as offering a suite of GIS tools and techniques, ARC/INFO came with its own macro language —
ARC Macro Language (AML). This allows users to string together longer sections of code, allowing the construction of complex modeling tools and automation.Command line heritage
Due to its history of being a
command line based product, and following the introduction of ESRI's first GUI-based GIS (ArcView ) in 1992, there is often a distinct age split for command line users of the ArcInfo tools. Many users who were "brought up" on the command line version still make use of it for its speed and large tool-set, using it in conjunction with the GUI offered by ArcGIS. Many of the younger users, however, have never seen it or even realise it is there. In addition, some users find that AML offers quicker processing and scripting times than similar code in the GUI part of ArcGIS usingVisual Basic .ArcInfo
With ARC/INFO version 7, ESRI underwent a major change in its GIS product family when it released
ArcGIS version 8.0 late in 1999. With this, the main ARC/INFO product line was discontinued as a standalone product, and was renamed to ArcInfo. All of its functionality is still found in the ArcInfo license version ofArcGIS , and a workstation version of ArcInfo is still developed forUnix-like platforms.Product Information
The current version of ArcInfo (9.3) is only available with the purchase of ArcGIS Desktop. The title ArcInfo refers to the level of functionality and licensing within the ArcGIS suite. ArcInfo allows users the most flexibility and control in "all aspects of data building, modeling, analysis, and map display" [ [http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcinfo/index.html ESRI] - Product Page] .
ArcInfo includes increased capability in the areas of spatial analysis, geoprocessing, data management, and others.
ee also
*
ESRI
*ArcGIS
*ESRI grid References
*ESRI, 1999. "Understanding GIS—The ARC/INFO method". Environmental System Research Institute, Inc., 602 p. ISBN 978-1879102019
External links
* [http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcinfo/index.html ESRI's Current ArcInfo page]
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