With the interapplication communication functionality introduced in ArcInfo Version 7.0, it is now possible to construct gateways to any database management system that supports a Call-Level Interface (CLI) or some form of API (Application Programming Interface). Most DBMSs provide such an environment. Using the "aiserver" stubs provided as part of the ArcInfo Version 7.0 distribution, the appropriate DBMS function calls are inserted to correspond to the IAC procedure numbers desired. The "aiserver" is linked with the DBMS function library and is run as a background process. Using AML (ARC Macro Language), it is possible to access this server from any workstation on the network without cumbersome middleware. The construction of the ArcInfo to IBM DB2 (SQL/DS on VM) gateway developed at Tri-Met will be discussed.
The Bechtel Environmental Integrated Data Management System (BEIDMS) is a relational database management system developed by Bechtel Environmental, Inc. The primary objective of BEIDMS is to store and manage environmental data which are directly or indirectly tied to field sampling events. The BEIDMS is also a hierarchical database management system. It is designed to achieve standardization and integrity in managing environmental data. The BEIDMS is an Oracle application developed with Oracle Case tools. It is based on a client-server architecture where the database resides on a database server, while the actual application modules run on PCs or other computers connected to the database server through a network. The latest version of the BEIDMS (2.0) runs under the Microsoft Windows environment. Database integrity and security are enforced through the assignment of role memberships and the provision of available menu items. ArcView has been used to develop a GIS interface for the BEIDMS. The data linkage between ArcView and BEIDMS is established through the Microsoft Open Database Connectivity (ODBC). This data linkage is a dynamic one in which the changes in BEIDMS data servers will be instantly reflected in ArcView tables. The coupling of ArcView and BEIDMS provides significant benefits for data users: they are able to access and display environmental data geographically. In addition, data users can take advantage of additional functions offered by ArcView to create spatial queries and to perform spatial analyses on environmental data. This can be considered as the first step in moving toward an enterprise solution for managing, distributing, and accessing environmental data.
This paper describes the development of an ArcView-based user interface to retrieve and analyze the data stored in the hydrometerological and water quality databases for South Florida Water Management District. These databases reside on district's Oracle RDBMS servers and are used by district staff and engineers from Sun workstation clients. The paper describes the design and the implementation process with emphasis with emphasis on connectivity between ArcView and Oracle.