[GRASS5] VPF/VRF open source libriary

[Bjørn Roald]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: grass5-admin at grass.itc.it [mailto:grass5-admin at grass.itc.it]On
> Behalf Of Eric G. Miller
> Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2002 3:38 AM
> To: grass5 at grass.itc.it
> Cc: freegis-list at intevation.de
> Subject: Re: [GRASS5] VPF/VRF open source libriary
>
>
> On Mon, 28 Jan 2002 17:20:25 +0100, Jan-Oliver Wagner
> <jan at intevation.de> wrote:
>
> > Hi Bjørn,
> >
> > On Sun, Jan 27, 2002 at 10:59:12AM +0100, Bjørn Roald wrote:
> > > Anybody have any pointers to existing "free" code supporting
> the vector
> > > format known as VPF (or VRF when as part of the DIGEST
> standard).  This is
> > > the vector format used in the Digital Chart of the World
> (DCW) and various
> > > other NIMA products, as well as products from other sources.
> > >
> > > I am aware of NIMAMUSE, have used it for years.  I am also
> aware that NIMA
> > > has discontinued its support for this "open source"
> application.  Are any of
> > > you aware of any attempt to get NIMAMUSE sources releasable
> to GPL/LGPL?
> > >
> > > My goal is not simply a viewer or import/export filter.  My
> intention is
> > > tools enabling production of full topology vector coverages
> in VPF.  Any
> > > ideas or pointers are welcome.
> >
> > a sound vpf viewer as Free Software would be great.
> > Currently there is only vhclmaps which is quite outdated
> > and afaik, OpenMap (Java) which handle vpf.
> > Links to these and perhaps some more at www.freegis.org.
> >
> > I am crossposing this to the FreeGIS mailing list, perhaps
> > some people are also interested in the  development of a GPL/LGPL
> > vpf viewer.
>
> I would be interested in such a project.  I've read through the
> VPF spec, skimmed through the NIMAMUSE code (outdated), and familiarized
> myself somewhat with the database structure.  I've played around a
> little with writing basic table reader code, but haven't written
> anything substantial at this point.

I did the same thing 7-8 years ago.  Never got into any serious work. I kind
of assumed something would show up with time, but it seems like all that
have been substantial are proprietary solutions.

>
> I like the data model pretty well, and would be interested in tools to
> read/write/build/validate such databases.

This is along the lines of what I am thinking about, seems like we might
want to join forces.  I would like to get the overall goal of the project
written down, as well as the scope of the initial effort, then post it.
Then we could see if there is any response to it.  If anybody have opinions
or input to such a document, please post it or reply to me personally.

I would also like to use some time to evaluate various available resources.
My  feeling is that a lot of available sources are based on the vpfview,
vpflib or vpfimport sources.  I do not know at this point if that is a
source base that can evolve into what I want, or if a general
redesign/re-write is needed.

Programming language will probably be C or C++.  If C++ is selected, we
might want to support a C API as well.

Anybody have any thoughts of how this can tie into or interact with the new
GRASS vector format?

PostgreSQL could also be an important technology used in the project.  The
data could be managed in the database and loaded to and from the VPF
database.

Bjorn