The Geonames Processing System Synopsis.

Abstract : DMA has recognized a need for digital procedures to store, retrieve, and edit geographic names and dates and to prepare names for product generation. DMA's stated goal is a 50-100 million name digital data base with subsystems to capture names, edit and format names data, and prepare names overlays for maps. NORDA began a geonames processing system design study late in FY82. This report summarizes NORDA's study findings. The four sections in Part One discuss four geonames processing functions in turn: names data capture, data base management, editing and formatting, and map names processing. Each subsystem is described, unresolved issues are highlighted, and recommendations are made. Part Two discusses concerns common to all four geonames processing subsystems. Section 5 defines interfaces between the subsystems. Section 6 weighs the technical possibilities for handling non-Roman alphabets and ideographs. Personnel and space requirements for a comprehensive names processing system are estimated in Section 7. Part Three summarizes the recommendations made in this report. Keywords: Geographic names data base.