Who does not use digital mapping apps whenever they are heading somewhere? This growing time of technology and huge dependence on the internet has made us constantly use navigation systems like GIS and GPS.
But what exactly are these, and what are the differences between them? Both GIS and GPS are such systems that are associated with providing relevant information regarding a geographical location. Due to several similarities, both systems are often confused with one another. This article aims to explore the relevant differences between them.
Key Differences
GIS
- It is an initialism for the Geographical Information System, which provides all the relevant information regarding a geographical area located anywhere on the earth.
- It is considered a software or computer system which works by first making a collection of accurate information, then storing the collected information, and finally analyzing the stored information.
- This system is estimated to have been launched before the emergence of GPS. The roots of the origin of this system take us back to 1963 in Canada.
- This system is primarily used to generate data concerning information about a specific location on the earth in the form of maps. It should be remembered that this system is not used to specify or find out the exact location of something; instead, it is used to gather information relating to the concerned location.
GPS
- It is an initialism for the Global Positioning System and is associated with finding out the exact location of something or someone on the earth.
- It is considered a satellite system that works by, as the name suggests, with the use of a satellite. In this system, a satellite collects all the relevant information about places on the earth by orbiting around the earth at least twice a day. Then, these satellites are subjected to transmit signals, and the information is altered as per that.
- This system came into existence after the launch of the GIS. The traces of the emergence of this system takes us back to 1978 in the United States of America (USA).
- This system is mainly used to locate or find an exact location of something or someone. It should be remembered that this system does not provide only information about a place; instead, it is associated with just providing the exact location of some place anywhere on the earth.
Comparison Between Gis and Gps
| Parameter | GIS | GPS |
|---|---|---|
| Launch | It was launched before the invention of GPS. The traces of the origin of this system can be found in 1963 in Canada. It is believed that Roger Tomlinson and the Canadian government invented this system. | It was launched after the invention of GIS. The traces of the origin of this system can be found in 1978 in the United States of America (USA) through its defense department. A prototype SpiceJet was launched into space to fulfill the purpose of this system. |
| Initialism | It is an initialism for the Geographical Information System. | It is an initialism for the Global Positioning System. |
| Meaning | It refers to a software or computer system that is concerned with representing only the information relating to a demographic location. It should be remembered that this system does not tell the exact location of something. | It refers to satellite software that is concerned with representing the exact location of something, such as any place or someone. It should be noted that telling the information relating to a specific location is not the primary focus of this system. |
| Working | This system works by first collecting all the relevant and accurate information. Then, the information has to be stored somewhere, and spatial databases are used for this purpose. At last, the stored information is analyzed and displayed to users as maps, graphs, and tables. | This system works by making use of satellites. The relevant data and information are collected with the help of these satellites. There are multiple satellites in space that revolve around the earth at least twice a day. The information is transmitted to the earth through the satellite’s signals. |
| Automobile theft | This system is not considered suitable when it comes to identifying or tracking a robbed automobile because even if this system is installed in the vehicle, it would be of no help as this system is only associated with showing the information related to a location and not with telling the exact location of something like a vehicle. | This system is considered best when it comes to tracking down a stolen automobile because when these systems are installed in the vehicles, they have the power to show the exact location of something or someone, such as a vehicle. |
| Attaining roadside ER support | This system is not considered ideal when it comes to seeking help if you are stuck in a location you have no idea about. This is because, despite calling the police or the concerned officials, they could not track down the vehicle. After all, this system is only associated with telling information about a demographic location. | This system is considered fit when it comes to tracking down a vehicle if the passengers are lost and do not know how to get out, as this system is concerned with telling the exact location of something or someone. |
| Applications | Mapping, proximity calculations, analyzing locations, etc. | Mapping surveys, tracking vehicle thefts, finding locations, etc. |
Major Differences Between Gis and Gps
What Exactly Is Gis?
GIS is an initialism for the Geographical Information System, which began in 1963 in Canada. Roger Tomlinson is seen as the man behind the invention of this system. This system comes under the software or computer system category and not a satellite system.
This system works by first ensuring we are collecting accurate information. This collected information is then stored in special databases, otherwise known as spatial databases. This stored information is then analyzed and, at last, represented in the form of maps, graphs, and tables.
Attributes of GIS
- It is an initialism for the Geographical Information System.
- It was invented in 1963 in Canada by a man known as Roger Tomlinson. He, along with the Canadian government, was the reason behind the invention of this system.
- It can be best described as a software or computer system which is concerned with letting people know about information relating to a specific location on the earth.
- The data relating to this system is dynamic, meaning it keeps on changing as progress and developments happen in the surroundings. The relevant changes are collected and updated in the concerned databases.
- This system is primarily used for three main purposes: mapping purposes, proximity purposes, and location purposes.
What Exactly Is Gps?
GPS is an initialism for the Global Positioning System, which is estimated to have emerged in 1978 in the United States of America (USA). The defense department of the US government is seen as the reason behind the invention of this system.
This system uses satellites and, thus, is also known as a satellite system. This system works by the information that is gathered from satellites which typically revolve around the earth at least twice a day.
Attributes of GPS
- It is an initialism for the Global Positioning System.
- It was invented in 1978 in the United States by the country’s defense department. To accomplish this project, the defense department launched a prototype spacecraft into space to fulfill the concerned purpose.
- It can be best defined as a satellite system showing the exact location of something or someone anywhere on the earth.
- Just like GIS, the data of this system is also considered dynamic. As the locations, distances, changes, or new ones are added, the data has to be updated.
- This system is primarily used for several purposes, such as mapping purposes, car safety purposes, mapping purposes, and attaining roadside support purposes.
The Contrast Between Gis And Gps
Launch
- GIS – This system came into existence before the invention of GPS. The roots of origin of this system take us to as early as 1968 in Canada. Roger Tomlinson, along with the Canadian government, are the reasons behind the invention of this system.
- GPS – This system was invented after the invention of GIS. The roots of origin of this system take us back to 1978 in the United States of America (USA). The defense department of the same country is seen as the reason behind the invention of this system.
Meaning
- GIS – It is an abbreviation for Geographical Information System. It refers to a software or computer system that aims to provide information about a location anywhere on the earth. It should be remembered that this system does not tell you the exact location of a place; instead, it focuses on the information relating to that specific location.
- GPS – It is an abbreviation for Global Positioning System. It refers to a satellite system that aims to provide the exact location of someone or something located anywhere on the earth. It should be noted that this system does not focus on telling the information about the concerned location.
Working
- GIS – This system first collects all the relevant and accurate information. This collected information is then stored in spatial databases. Finally, this stored information is then analyzed and represented to people through maps, graphs, and tables. As and when the changes relating to geographical locations occur, the same is updated through these computers and databases.
- GPS – Since this system uses satellites to function, only the satellites play a primary role in working this system. Multiple satellites revolve around the earth at least twice per day, and the information is transmitted to the concerned authorities through signals.
Automobile theft
- GIS – This system can not help track automobiles such as cars, trucks, etc. This is because this system is not concerned with finding the exact location of something; instead, it only represents the information relating to a place. Thus, there is no way this system can help identify or track an automobile that someone has robbed.
- GPS – One of the major features of this system that also helps distinguish it from GIS is that it can play a vital role in tracking a vehicle or automobile that has been robbed or is missing for any other reason. This is because many vehicles have an automatic GPS fitted inside them, and this system has the power to represent the exact location of something or someone.
Attaining roadside support
- GIS – If someone is stuck in an unknown location and needs some support, but officials have no idea how to reach them, this system would not fulfill that purpose. This is because this system can only provide information relating to a location, and it is of no help when it comes to finding the exact location of something.
- GPS – If someone is stuck anywhere they have no idea how to get out from, then this system plays a greater role in fulfilling that purpose. Officials can know the whereabouts of the concerned vehicle if it has a GPS fitted inside it, as this system is associated with telling the exact location of something or someone.
Applications
- GIS – This system is associated with mapping purposes as this system can display the information in the form of maps, proximity purposes as this system are also used to calculate how far a person is from some other place, and location purposes of identifying what kind of a community that location is and if any public place can be built over there.
- GPS – This system is used for various purposes such as finding locations easily as one can find any location they want with the help of this system, preventing car theft as people can easily track the stolen vehicle, conducting mapping surveys as one can go through large distances very easily digitally.
I/C
Applications of GIS and GPS
GIS
- Mapping
- City planning
- Healthcare and banking sector
- Management of the supply chain
- Minerals and ores exploration
- Telecom sector
- Management of land records
- Army and military
GPS
- Location positioning
- Vehicle tracking
- Timing and mapping
- Aviation
- Public safety
- Highways and roads
- Agriculture
- Automobile theft
- Disaster relief
- Forest and Jungle management
Conclusion
People often get confused when they hear GIS and GPS and use the terms interchangeably. GIS and GPS are location-based service systems that provide information about a demographic location.
The major difference between GIS and GPS is that the former was invented before the latter and only tells information about a location. In contrast, the latter was invented after the former and told the exact location of something or someone.
Frequently Asked Questions (faQs)
Q1. When were GIS and GPS launched?
The former was invented in 1963 in Canada by a man, Roger Tomlinson, along with the Canadian government. On the other hand, its defense department invented the latter in 1978 in the United States of America.
Q2. What kind of systems are GIS and GPS?
The former is a software or computer system that uses databases to store information. In contrast, the latter is a satellite system that uses satellites for its proper functioning.
Q3. How does GPS help in locating robbed vehicles, but GIS does not?
GPS can help locate robbed vehicles because this system tells the exact location of something or someone. In contrast, GIS would not be any help in this scenario because this system is concerned with only showing the information related to the location.
Q4. What are the major differences between GIS and GPS?
The significant differences between GIS and GPS are that the former is a software or computer system developed in Canada and only tells the information relating to a demographic location. In contrast, the latter is a satellite system developed in the USA and tells the exact location of something or someone.
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