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4 Before Leaving the Office
4.4 Data Dictionaries
A data dictionary is a description of the features and attributes relevant
to a particular project or job. It is used in the field to control the
collection of features (objects) and attributes (information about those
objects). A data dictionary includes a list of features that are collected
in the field, and for each feature, a list of attributes that describe that
feature. A data dictionary structures data collection. It does not
contain the actual information collected in the field (positions and
actual attribute values for each occurrence of a feature).
Understanding how to put together a data dictionary is very important.
Design your data dictionary with your GIS in mind. In particular, be
familiar with any format restrictions imposed by the GIS, otherwise
you may not be able to import the data you collect. Constructing a
haphazard data dictionary can greatly increase the amount of time and
work required to enter the data you collect into a GIS or database.
Data dictionaries are project independent. The GPS Pathfinder Office
software does not automatically store the data dictionary (.ddf) files in
the project folder. You may want to create a folder specifically for data
dictionary files. For more information on the creation of data
dictionaries, see the Data Dictionary Editor documentation, or the
Mapping Systems General Reference.
42 TSC1 Asset Surveyor Operation Manual