[Freegis-list] Trying to hack ARC/INFO

[Frank Warmerdam]

lbottorff at harveycounty.com wrote:
> 
> Hello,
> 
> I'm stuck in a Microsoft/ARCINFO world, but I would like to find a way to hack
> the data side of ARC/INFO coverages in order to extract the basic data/attribute
> stuff into an XML format (and eventually into Postgres). Our new 8.0.2 has
> "metadata", but it's only a small part of the real data and attribs behind a
> full coverage. I'm guessing an SDTS-to-XML process might be my best bet. Does
> such a thing exist? Or any other ideas out there

Larry,

The traditional 7.x Arc/Info binary coverages format has been reverse engineered,
and the format is available at:

  http://pages.infinit.net/danmo/e00/docs/v7_bin_cover.html

I would be interested in hearing if this has changed dramatically in V8.  Daniel
also has code that can translate binary coverages to E00 format, which is 
accessable in many more systems.  However, if you already arc/info you might
be best of converting to E00 within Arc/Info, and using that as your source
data. Daniel also has an E00 format analysis at:

  http://pages.infinit.net/danmo/e00/docs/v7_e00_cover.html

I presume you are wanting to hold your coverages in PostgreSQL in a topogical
form similar to how it is stored within arc/info, is that right?  If you do
this, I would be interested in hearing how you approach it. 

> Also, would a free/open source GIS product be capable of taking over a
> cadasteral/parcel GIS project from ARC/INFO. If so, I'd like to argue to my
> superiors about going totally open source.

It certainly is possible, but it would likely involve a fair amount of 
development, or at least customization.  It would also likely involve a degree
of political risk that would make it difficult.  I would suggest going ahead
and translating the data, and building a small demonstrator before making
a big push with your boss.

I don't know what all is important for cadasteral application, so I can't say
too much more. 

Best regards,

---------------------------------------+--------------------------------------
I set the clouds in motion - turn up   | Frank Warmerdam, warmerdam at pobox.com
light and sound - activate the windows | http://pobox.com/~warmerda
and watch the world go round - Rush    | Geospatial Programmer for Rent