2011

Cartesian coordinate system A global coordinate system (page 2065) defined
using three perpendicular axes (X, Y, and Z) to specify locations in
three-dimensional space. Compare with spherical coordinate system (page 2075).
cartographic coordinate system A
global coordinate system (page 2065) that is
referenced directly to an
ellipsoid (page 2062). Compare with geodetic coordinate
system
(page 2064).
centroids Points or
blocks (page 2056) that are part of a polygon in a drawing
topology. The centroid holds information about the area and perimeter of the
polygon.
chained join An advanced type of join, where two or more secondary tables
are joined to a primary table in a chain-like fashion, that is primary linked to
secondary linked to another secondary, and so on.
checkout The action of locking features in a data store before editing them.
See also
explicit checkout (page 2062), implicit checkout (page 2065).
class See
feature class (page 2063) and object class (page 2069).
classified DWG An AutoCAD Map 3D DWG (drawing) file that contains object
classes, and uses them to represent real-world objects in the drawing. A DWG
file that contains object class definitions, but does not have any objects to
which these definitions are applied, is not considered a classified DWG.
clustered nodes Nodes within a specified tolerance of one another.
COGO Short for Coordinate Geometry. COGO inquiry commands extract
geometric information from drawing objects such as lines, curves, closed
polylines, and polygons. This information is useful if you want to verify the
accuracy of your data, or send the data to the field. Inquiry commands are
specific to drawing objects. They do not work on features.
column A specific category of information in a table, such as Address or
Diameter, also called a FGDC CSDGM Standard (page 2063). See also table (page
2076).
compound element (metadata) A group of data elements in the FGDC CSDGM
Standard
(page 2063). A compound element can consist of individual data
elements, other compound elements, or both.
conformal projection, conformality Conformal projections maintain local
angles. A map projection is conformal when the scale is the same in every
direction at any point. Meridians and parallels intersect at right angles; the
shape of small areas and angles with very short sides are preserved. Most larger
area sizes are distorted.
Glossary | 2057