Desktop GIS

ArcGIS Desktop

ArcGIS desktop provides a collection of software products that create, edit, import, map, query, analyze, and publish geographic information. ArcGIS desktop products include

• ArcInfo
• ArcEditor
• ArcView
• ArcReader
• ArcGIS Desktop Extensions

ArcGIS desktop products share the same core applications (ArcMap and ArcCatalog), user interface, and development environment so users can share their work with others. Maps, data, symbology, map layers, geoprocessing models (ModelBuilder), custom tools and interfaces, reports, and metadata can be accessed interchangeably.

A wide-ranging suite of optional extensions expands the functional capabilities of these products with specialized GIS tools.

ArcGIS Desktop Products

ArcInfo is the complete GIS product to build a comprehensive desktop GIS. The de facto standard for GIS professionals, ArcInfo provides tools for data integration and management, visualization, spatial modeling and analysis, and high-end cartography. It supports single-user and multi-user editing and automates complex workflows. You can use ArcInfo to gather, build, and manage data, analyze geographic relationships, discover new information, and produce publication-quality maps.

ArcEditor provides advanced editing, data validation, and workflow management tools to maintain the integrity of your data. With ArcEditor, you can author quality maps and perform sophisticated spatial analysis. You can use ArcEditor to manage complex information, automate the editing workflow, and allow multiple users to update the same data simultaneously.

ArcView allows you to visualize, explore, and analyze geographic data, revealing underlying patterns, relationships, and trends. You can use ArcView to create maps, manage your data, and perform spatial analysis.

ArcReader is a free viewer for maps authored using the other ArcGIS Desktop products. It can view and print all maps and data types. It also has some simple tools to explore and query maps.

ArcGIS Desktop Extensions allow you to perform tasks such as raster geoprocessing, three-dimensional visualization, and geostatistical analysis.

ArcGIS Desktop Functionality Matrix

View a detailed chart of functionality, methods, features, tools, operations, and included data by product.

• ArcGIS 9.2 Functionality Matrix Poster [PDF-612 KB, 3 pages]

For Developers

Developers can create new custom extensions to ArcGIS Desktop by working with ArcObjects, the ArcGIS software component library. Users develop extensions and custom tools using standard Windows programming interfaces such as Visual Basic (VB), .NET, Java, and Visual C++.