Integration of Functional Programming and Spatial Databases for GIS Application Development

Master thesis presentation introducing TerraHS, an integration of Haskell with spatial databases.

Event: VIII Brazilian Symposium on GeoInformatics (GEOINFO 2006)

Date: November 01, 2006

Location: Campos do Jordão, Brazil

Slides (PDF)

Abstract

This presentation details the development of TerraHS, a software component that enables the development of GIS applications using the functional programming language Haskell. By providing a bridge between the high-level expressiveness of functional programming and the robust data management of spatial databases like PostgreSQL/PostGIS, TerraHS allows for the creation of rigorous and concise geospatial solutions.

Key Contributions

  • TerraHS Component: A bridge between Haskell and the TerraLib C++ library.
  • Functional GIS: Demonstration of how functional programming can simplify complex geospatial algorithms.
  • Spatial Database Integration: Seamless access to spatial data stored in relational databases.
  • Case Study: Implementation of a Map Algebra language within the functional paradigm.

Presented by Sérgio Souza Costa as part of his M.Sc. defense at INPE.