Towards a Spatial Query Language: User Interface
Considerations
Max Egenhofer and Andrew Frank 14th International Conference on Very Large Data Bases, Long Beach, CA,
D. DeWitt and F. Bancilhon (eds.), pp. 124-133, August 1988.
Abstract
Spatial information systems are large collections of spatial and
non-spatial data on top of tailored database management systems
with interactive analysis being the rule rather than an exception.
Current database query languages, which are well-suited to treat
alphanumeric data, do not reflect the properties of spatial data.
In order to visualize the power needed for a spatial query
language, a user interface is designed which gives specific
considerations to the coexistence of representations as graphical
renderings, such as maps, and lexical listings, such as tables. The
different properties of spatial and non-spatial data give rise to
lexical formulations of queries in combination with references to
graphical 'objects' or areas on maps. In particular, immediate
reference to objects on drawings with direct manipulation devices
is a crucial technique to be embedded in the interaction. Variation
of graphical presentations by colors, patterns, etc. requires
appropriate tools in the interface to manipulate the presentation
of spatial objects. These issues are visualized in a sample session
by a sequence of interface snapshots.
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Max Egenhofer and 
Andrew Frank