On 2/7/2014 9:28 AM, ELHOA wrote:
What is a .kml file?
Mike K
Sent from my iPhone
On 2/7/2014 9:28 AM, ELHOA wrote:
What is a .kml file?
Mike K
Sent from my iPhone
A .kml file is a vector data file. "KML" is short for "Keyhole Markup
Language". The .kml standard allows creation of simple GIS data using a
text editor. It is also a language QGIS and Google Earth understand. I
mentioned .kml file explicitly because Google Earth has the option to
save as a compressed kml file, known as a "KMZ" or .kmz file. QGIS does
not support a .kmz but it does read .kml. The difference could have
caused some confusion.
KML files are mentioned in this context merely to transfer a simple
vector from one program to the next. They are very feature limited.
Shape files, .shp files, are more useful as they contain more data.
Full blown GIS systems use a more sophisticated data source still like
PostGIS/PostGreSQL or some other type Structured Query Database
Language. These SQL based systems allow advanced programming techniques
to be applied to GIS data for specific purposes, ie statistical
analysis. It can get pretty deep.
If you are looking to be a cartographer then you should buy a good pair
of hip-boots. Thats humor. Got a lifetime to spend on a career? QGIS and
SQL could keep you busy for a long time. There's a QGIS wiki somewhere
that you should begin reading if you are interested. There is also GIS
Stack Exchange where questions are answered. Self-study of online
literature and documentation is a must to be successful.
Bon Chance.
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