TerraLib

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TerraLib is an open source GIS software library that extends object-relational DBMS technology to handle spatio-temporal data types. The library supports different DBMS, including MySQL, PostgreSQL, and ORACLE. Its vector data model is compatible with OGC standards. TerraLib supports the development of custom-built geographical applications using spatial databases.

TerraLib includes functions and data types that support innovative applications in GIS. It supports different temporal models (events, moving objects, cell spaces, modifiable objects) and allows spatial, temporal and attribute queries on the database. TerraLib supports dynamic modelling in generalized cell spaces and has a dynamic link with the R programming language for statistical analysis. It handles large image data sets with indexing and efficient visualization.

TerraLib is implemented as a library of C++ classes and functions, written in ANSI-C++, and has programming interfaces in Java and Visual Basic.

TerraLib has a core development team based in Brazil. The team includes the Image Processing Division of Brazil's National Institute for Space Research, and the Computer Graphics Technology Group of the Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro. TerraLib is licensed as open source according to the LGPL.

Among the different applications developed using TerraLib is the TerraView open source software for spatial data analysis, which provides the basic functions of data conversion, visualization, exploratory spatial data analysis, spatial statistical modelling and spatial and non-spatial queries.