Earth Science

GRASS – advanced geospatial technologies

Geographic Resources Analysis Support System (GRASS) is an open source Geographic Information System (GIS) used for geospatial data management and analysis, image processing, graphics/maps production, spatial modeling, and visualization.

It consists of more than 400 modules for processing vector (2D/3D), raster and voxel data. Many interfaces to other programs in related domains like geostatistics, databases, mapserver and even other GIS software exist.

It can serve as a Desktop GIS and as the backbone of a complete GIS infrastructure.

It was created in the 1980s by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (USA/CERL) and has been enhanced by many others.

GRASS is currently used in scientific applications, commercial settings and by public officials all over the world.

Key Features

  • wxPython graphical user interface (wxGUI):
    • Layer Manager – includes map layer management, integrated command-line prompt, and command output window tab.
    • Map Display Window – integrates basic tools for zooming, panning, data querying, and map elements (north arrows, barscale, etc.).
    • Module dialogs enable running GRASS modules.
  • 2D raster analysis and 3D voxel management (volumes).
  • 2D/3D Vector engine with SQL based DBMS support.
  • Image processing modules.
  • Vector network analysis, Linear Referencing System.
  • Visualization of 2D, 3D maps and volumes.
  • Interoperable with standard raster and vector formats.
  • Modular architecture and scripting capabilities for batch processing.
  • Supports various RDBMS (Relational database management system) and embedded databases. SQL (Structured Query Language) queries are directly passed to the underlying database system.
  • Over 400 built-in analysis modules and 100 community supplied add-on modules and toolboxes can be downloaded for free.
  • Python interface to the C  library – create new  modules in a simple way while at the same time creating powerful and  fast modules.
  • Can be used either as a stand-alone application or as backend for other software packages such as QGIS and R geostatistics.

Website: grass.osgeo.org
Support: Documentation, Quickstart, FAQ, Mailing Lists
Developer: Refractions Research
License: GNU Lesser General Public License

GRASS

GRASS is written in C, C++, and Python. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials. Learn C++ with our recommended free books and free tutorials. Learn Python with our recommended free books and free tutorials.


Related Software

GIS: Earth Science Software
GRASSGeographic Resources Analysis Support System
Quantum GISUser friendly Geographic Information System
SAGASystem for Automated Geoscientific Analyses
GMTCollection of tools that allow users to manipulate data sets
GeoServerServer written in Java that allows users to share and edit geospatial data
OpenJUMPGeographic Information System written in Java
gvSIG DesktopPowerful, user-friendly Geographic Information System
PostGISDatabase extender for PostgreSQL object-relational database
WhiteboxToolsAdvanced geospatial data analysis platform
MapServerSystem for developing web-based GIS applications
uDigSpatial data viewer/editor

Read our verdict in the software roundup.


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