[postgis-users] PostgreSQL, PostGIS and spatial data

[Tyler Mitchell]

> I don't know if I am getting this right. I need your confirmation:
> PostgreSQL has already the geometric data types and some functions to
> handle with this spatial data, but PostGIS adds lots of others 
functions,
> metatables, etc, in order to make PostgreSQL compatible with SFS/OGC
> and more powerful.

I'd say you're pretty close, though with postgres having "geometric data 
types" doesn't really make it spatial in the sense you are probably 
thinking. In other words, it's VERY limited without postgis.

> So PostgreSQL has some basic spatial capability 

Less than basic (?)

> and PostGIS makes PostgreSQL
> a database to support a real GIS.

Oh yeah!  From an analysts perspective, it IS the GIS!