Abstract
In visual query languages, especially in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), a query can lead to multiple interpretations for the system and for the user. An origin is that a unique working space is used to express different kinds of information. Another origin is that the user gives his own semantics to information. Ambiguities represent a big challenge in visual query languages because they are found at different levels and sublevels. Ambiguities depend on the action and on the interpretation of the user and on the representation of the system. We propose a taxonomy of ambiguities in visual GIS query languages in order to determine which case of ambiguity is met and at which level. We also propose different solutions to resolve the ambiguities we detected. A model has been made to solve a particular case of ambiguity in the Lvis [3] visual language. This model shows that the number of semantics in a spatial ambiguity can be very high. An extension of Lvis is currently implemented to test some resolution ways.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Angelacio, B., Catarci, T., Santucci, G.: A Graphical Query Language with Recursion, IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering, Vol 16 (10), (1990) pp. 1150–1163
Aufaure-Portier, M.A., Trepied, C.: A Survey of Query Languages for Geographic Information Systems, Proceedings of IDS-3 (3rd International Workshop on Interface to Database), published in Springer Verlag’s Electronic Workshops in Computer Series (1996) 14p (http://www.springer.co.uk/eWiC/Worshops/IDS3.html)
Aufaure M.-A., Bonhomme C., Lbath A., LVIS: Un Langage Visuel d’Interrogation de Bases de Données Spatiales, BDA’98, 14’emes Journées de Bases de Données Avancées, Hammamet, Tunisie, (1998) pp. 527–545
Bonhomme C., Trépied C., Aufaure M.-A., Laurini R., A Visual Language for Querying Spatio-Temporal Databases, ACM GIS99, Kansas City, USA, (1999) pp. 34–39
Bottoni, P., Costabile, M.F, Levialdi, S., Mussio, P.: Formalising visual languages, In Proc. IEEE Symposium on Visual Languages 95, (1995) pp. 45–52
Calcinelli, D., Mainguenaud, M.: Management of the Ambiguities in a Graphical Query Language for Geographical Information Systems, Advances in Spatial Databases, 2nd Large Spatial Database Symposium (SSD), Zürich, Switzerland, 28–30 Agust 1991, O. Günther. H-J Schek (Eds.), Proceedings, Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Vol 525, Springer, (1991) pp. 143–160
Catarci, T., Costabile, M. F., Levialdi, S., C. Batini: Visual Query Systems for Databases: A Survey, Journal of Visual Languages and Computing (JVLC), Vol 8 (2), (1997), pp. 215–260
Egenhofer, M. (1997), Query Processing in Spatial Query By Sketch, Journal of Visual Language and Computing, Vol 8 (4), pp. 403–424
Gaio, M., Buléon, P., Boursier, P.: L’Antéserveur Géographique, un Systéme Intuitif pour accèder á l’Information Géographique, actes des Journées Cassini 98, Revue Internationale de Géomatique, 8 (1–2), Université de Marne-la-Vallée, (1998) pp. 45–58
Laurini, R., Thompson D.: Fundamentals of Spatial Information Systems, The APIC series, Academic Press (1992)
Lbath, A., Aufaure-Portier, M-A., Laurini, R.: Using a Visual Language for the Design and Query in GIS Customization, 2nd International Conference on Visual Information Systems (VISUAL 97), San Diego, (1997) pp. 197–204
Lecocq-Carpentier, C.: La Gestion des AmbiguÏtés dans un Langage Visuel: Application au Langage pour Bases de Données Géographiques CIGALES, Ph Dissertation, Université d’Evry Val d’Essone (1999)
Lee, Y., Chin, F. L.: An Iconic Query Language for Topological Relationships in GIS, The International Journal of Geographical Information Systems, Vol 9 (1), (1995) pp. 25–46
Meyer, B.: Beyond Icons: Towards New Metaphors for Visual Query Languages for Spatial Information Systems, Proceedings of the first International Workshop on Interfaces to Database Systems (R. Cooper ed.), Springer-Verlag (1993) 113–135
Zloof, M., M.: Query-By-Example: A Database Language, IBM Systems Journal, Vol 16(4), (1977) pp. 324–343
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2000 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
Franck, F., Marie-Aude, AP. (2000). About Ambiguities in Visual GIS Query Languages: a Taxonomy and Solutions. In: Laurini, R. (eds) Advances in Visual Information Systems. VISUAL 2000. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 1929. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-40053-2_14
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-40053-2_14
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-41177-2
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-40053-0
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive