Geografic-Information-System/lib/vector/vectorlib.dox

/*! \page vectorlib GRASS Vector Library

by GRASS Development Team (http://grass.osgeo.org)

<b>Table of contents</b>

- \subpage vlibBackground
- \subpage vlibIntro
 - \subpage vlibVectorMap
  - \subpage vlibVectorLevels
  - \subpage vlibDirectoryStructure
  - \subpage vlibHeadFileFormat
 - \subpage vlibCategoriesLayers
 - \subpage vlibAttributes
  - \subpage vlibDblnFileFormat
- \subpage vlibs
 - \subpage vlibHistory
- \subpage vlibStructures
- \subpage vlibGeometry
 - \subpage vlibFeatureTypes
 - \subpage vlibCoorFileFormat
  - \subpage vlibCoorFileHead
  - \subpage vlibCoorFileBody 
- \subpage vlibTopoManagement
 - \subpage vlibTopoFileFormat
  - \subpage vlibTopoFileHead
  - \subpage vlibTopoFileBody
 - \subpage vlibTopoLevels
 - \subpage vlibTopoExamples
 - \subpage vlibTopoMemory
- \subpage vlibSpidx
 - \subpage vlibSidxFileFormat
- \subpage vlibCidx
 - \subpage vlibCidxFileFormat
  - \subpage vlibCidxFileHead
- \subpage vlibTin
- \subpage vlibOgrIface
 - \subpage vlibFrmtFileFormat
 - \subpage vlibFidxFileFormat
- \subpage vlibDglib
- \subpage vlibAscii

- \subpage vlibFunc

- \subpage vlibAuthors

- \subpage vlibReferences

- \subpage vlibSeealso


\section vlibBackground Background

Generally, the vector data model is used to describe geographic
phenomena which may be represented by geometric entities like
<em>points</em>, <em>lines</em>, and <em>areas</em>. The GRASS vector
data model includes the description of <em>topology</em>, where
besides the coordinates describing the location of the primitives
(points, lines, boundaries, centroids, faces, kernels, and volumes),
their spatial relations are also stored. In general, topological GIS
requires a data structure where the common boundary between two
adjacent areas is stored as a single line, simplifying the vector data
maintenance.


\section vlibIntro Introduction

The GRASS 6/7 vector format is very similar to the previous GRASS 4.x
(5.0/5.3) vector format.

This description covers the new GRASS 6/7 vector library architecture.
This new architecture overcomes the vector limitations of GRASS
4.x-5.4.x by extending the vector support with attributes stored in
the external relational databases, and by new 3D capabilities. Besides
internal file based storage the geometry may alternatively be stored
in a PostGIS database (accessible via OGR interface). This enables
users to maintain large data sets with simultaneous write
access. External GIS formats such as SHAPE-files may be used directly,
without requiring format conversion.

The current implementation includes:   

- <em>multi-layer</em>: features in one vector map may represent more
    layers and may be linked to more external tables (see \ref
    vlibCategoriesLayers)
- <em>2D and 3D vector geometry</em> with full topology support for 2D and
  partial topology support for 3D (see \ref vlibTopoManagement)
- <em>multi-format</em>: external data formats supported (SHAPE-file,
  OGR sources etc.)
- <em>portability</em>: platform independent internal format, read- and
      writable on 32bit, 64bit etc. computer architectures
- integrated \ref vlibDglib - support for vector network analysis
- <em>spatial index</em>: based on R-tree method for fast vector
  geometry access (see \ref vlibSpidx)
- <em>multi-attribute</em>: attributes saved in external Relational
      Database Management System (RDBMS) connected through DBMI
      library and drivers (see \ref vlibAttributes)

\subsection vlibVectorMap Vector map definition (native format)

GRASS vector maps are stored in an <em>arc-node</em> representation,
consisting of curves called arcs. An arc is stored as a series of
x,y,z coordinate pairs. The two endpoints of an arc are called
<em>nodes</em>. Two consecutive x,y,z pairs define an arc segment. The
user specifies the type of input to GRASS; GRASS doesn't decide. GRASS
allows for the feature definition which allows for multiple types to
co-exist in the same map. Centroid are assigned to area it is
within/inside (geometrically). An area is identified by an x,y,z
centroid point geometrically inside with a category number. This
identifies the area. Such centroids are stored in the same binary
'coor' file with other primitives. Each element may have none, one or
more categories (cats). More cats are distinguished by field number
(field, called "layer" at user level).  Single and multi-category
support on modules level are implemented. Z-coordinate is optional and
both 2D and 3D files may be written.

The following <em>vector feature types (primitives)</em> are defined
by the vector library (and holds by the coor file; see also \ref
vlibFeatureTypes):

- point: a point (2D or 3D) - GV_POINT
- line: a directed sequence of connected vertices with two endpoints
  called nodes (2D or 3D) - GV_LINE
- boundary: the border line to describe an area (2D only) - GV_BOUNDARY
- centroid: a point within a closed boundary(ies) to describe an area
  (2D only) - GV_CENTROID
- face: a 3D boundary (not implemented yet) - GV_FACE
- kernel: a 3D centroid in a volume - GV_KERNEL

From vector feature types mentioned above are derived:

- area: the topological composition of a closed ring of boundary(ies)
  and optionally a centroid (2D only, 3D coordinates supported but
  ignored) - GV_AREA
- isle: an area within area, not touching the boundaries of the outer
  area (2D only, 3D coordinates supported but ignored)
- volume: a 3D corpus, the topological composition of faces and
  kernel (not implemented yet) - GV_VOLUME
- hole: a volume within volume, 3D equivalent to isle within area (not
  implemented yet)

Note that all lines and boundaries can consist of multiple segments.

Area topology also holds information about isles. <em>Isles</em> are
located within an area, not touching the boundaries of the outer
area. Isles consist of one or more areas and are used internally by
the vector library to maintain correct topology of areas.

\subsubsection vlibVectorLevels Levels of read access

There are two levels of read access to the vector data:

- <i>Level One</i> provides simple access to the vector feature
  information. There is no access to topology information at this
  level.
- <i>Level Two</i> provides full access to all the information
  including topology information. This level requires more from the
  programmer, more memory, and longer startup time.

Level of access is retured by Vect_open_old().

<em>Note:</em> Higher level of access are planned, so when checking
success return codes for a particular level of access (when calling
Vect_open_old() for example), the programmer should use >= instead of
== for compatibility with future releases.

An existing vector map can be open for reading by Vect_open_old(). New
vector map can be created (or open for writing) by
Vect_open_new(). Vect_open_old() attempts to open a vector map at the
highest possible level of access. It will return the number of the
level at which it opened. Vect_open_new() always opens at level 1
only. If you require that a vector map be opened at a lower level
(e.g. one), you can call the routine <tt>Vect_set_open_level(1)</tt>;
Vect_open_old() will then either open at level one or fail. If you
instead require the highest level access possible, you should not use
Vect_set_open_level(), but instead check the return value of
Vect_open_old() to make sure it is greater than or equal to the lowest
level at which you need access. This allows for future levels to work
without need for module change.

\subsubsection vlibDirectoryStructure Directory structure

Vector map is stored in a number of data files. Vector map directory
structure and file names were changed in GRASS 6 with respect to
previous GRASS versions. All vector files for one vector map are
stored in one directory:

\verbatim
$MAPSET/vector/vector_name/
\endverbatim

This directory contains these files:

- <b>coor</b> - binary file, coordinates [former dig/ file] (see \ref vlibCoorFileFormat)
- <b>topo</b> - binary file, topology [former dig_plus/ file] (see \ref vlibTopoFileFormat)
- <b>sidx</b> - binary file, spatial index (see \ref vlibSidxFileFormat)
- <b>cidx</b> - binary file, category index (see \ref vlibCidxFileFormat)
- <b>head</b> - text file, header information [former part of dig/ file] (see \ref vlibHeadFileFormat)
- <b>dbln</b> - text file, link(s) to attribute table(s) (see \ref vlibDblnFileFormat)
- <b>hist</b> - text file, vector map change history
- <b>frmt</b> - text file, format description (external formats only)
- <b>fidx</b> - binary file, feature index (OGR format only)

\subsubsection vlibHeadFileFormat Header file format specification

The header contains meta information, a description of the
vector map and many other information. The file is an unordered list
of key/value entries. The <i>key</i> is a string separated from
<i>value</i> by a colon and optional whitespace.

Keywords are:

- ORGANIZATION - organization that digitized the data
- DIGIT DATE - date the data was digitized
- DIGIT NAME - person who digitized the data
- MAP NAME - title of the original source map
- MAP DATE - date of the original source map
- MAP SCALE - scale of the original source map
- OTHER INFO - other comments about the map
- ZONE - zone of the map (e.g., UTM zone)
- MAP THRESH - digitizing threshold

This information holds \ref dig_head data structure.

\subsection vlibCategoriesLayers Categories and Layers

<i>Note: "layer" was called "field" in earlier version.</i>

In GRASS, a "category" or "category number" is a vector feature ID
used to link geometry to attributes which are stored in one or several
(external) database table(s). This category number is stored into the
vector geometry as well as a "cat" column (integer type) in each
attribute database table. The category number is used to lookup an
attribute assigned to a vector object. At user level, category numbers
can be assigned to vector objects with the <tt>v.category</tt> command.

In order to assign multiple attributes in different tables to vector
objects, each map can hold multiple category numbers. This is achieved
by assigning more than one "layer" to the map (<tt>v.db.connect</tt>
command). The layer number determines which table to be used for
attribute queries. For example, a cadastrial vector area map can be
assigned on layer 1 to an attribute table containing landuse
descriptions which are maintained by department A while layer 2 is
assigned to an attribute table containing owner descriptions which are
maintained by department B.

Each vector feature inside a vector map has zero, one or more
&lt;layer,category&gt; tuple(s). A user can (but not must) create
attribute tables which are referenced by the layer, and rows which are
essentially referenced by the &lt;layer,category&gt; pair.

%Categories start with 1 (category '0' is allowed for OGR
layers). %Categories do not have to be continuous.

Information about categories holds \ref line_cats data structure.

\subsection vlibAttributes Attributes

The old GRASS 4.x 'dig_cats' files are not used any more and vectors'
attributes are stored in external database. Connection with the
database is done through drivers based on \ref dbmilib. Records in a
table are linked to vector entities by layer and category number. The
layer identifies table and the category identifies record.  I.e., for
any unique combination

\verbatim
map+mapset+layer+category
\endverbatim

there exists one unique combination

\verbatim
driver+database+table+row
\endverbatim

The general DBMI settings are defined in the '$MAPSET/VAR' text file
(maintained with <tt>db.connect</tt> command at user level).

\subsection vlibDblnFileFormat DB link file format specification

Each vector maps has its own DBMI settings stored in the
'$MAPSET/vector/vector_name/dbln' text file. For each pair <em>vector map +
layer</em>, all of <em>table, key column, database, driver</em> must be
defined in a new row. This definition must be written to
'$MAPSET/vector/vector_name/dbln' text file. Each row in the 'dbln'
file contains names separated by spaces in following order ([ ] -
optional):

\verbatim
map[@mapset] layer table [key [database [driver]]]
\endverbatim

If key, database or driver are omitted (on second and higher row only)
the last definition is used. When reading a vector map from another
mapset (if mapset is specified along with map name), definitions in
the related "dbln" file may overwrite the DBMI definition in the
current mapset. This means that the map-wise definition is always
"stronger".

Wild cards <b>*</b> and <b>?</b> may be used in map and mapset names.

Variables $GISDBASE, $LOCATION_NAME, $MAPSET, and $MAP may be used in
table, key, database and driver names (function
Vect_subst_var()). Note that $MAPSET is not the current mapset but
mapset of the map the rule is defined for.

Note that vector features in GRASS vector maps may have attributes in
different tables or may be without attributes. Boundaries form areas
but it may happen that some boundaries are not closed (such boundaries
would not appear in polygon layer).  Boundaries may have
attributes. All types may be mixed in one vector map.

The link to the table is permanent and it is stored in 'dbln' file in
vector directory. Tables are considered to be a part of the vector and
the command <tt>g.remove</tt>, for example, deletes linked tables of
the vector. Attributes must be joined with geometry.

Information about database links holds \ref dblinks data structure.

<b>Examples:</b>

Examples are written mostly for the DBF driver, where database is full
path to the directory with dbf files and table name is the name of dbf
file without .dbf extension:

\verbatim
* 1 mytable id $GISDBASE/$LOCATION_NAME/$MAPSET/vector/$MAP dbf
\endverbatim

This definition says that entities with category of layer 1 are linked
to dbf tables with names "mytable.dbf" saved in vector directories of
each map. The attribute column containing the category numbers is
called "id".

\verbatim
* 1 $MAP id $GISDBASE/$LOCATION_NAME/$MAPSET/dbf dbf
\endverbatim 

Similar as above but all dbf files are in one directory dbf/ in mapset
and names of dbf files are $MAP.dbf

\verbatim
water* 1 rivers id /home/grass/dbf dbf
water* 2 lakes lakeid /home/guser/mydb
trans* 1 roads key basedb odbc
trans* 5 rails
\endverbatim

These definitions define more layers (called "field" in the API) for
one vector map i.e. in one vector map may be more features linked to
more attribute tables. Definitions on first 2 rows are applied for
example on maps water1, water2, ... so that more maps may share one
table.

\verbatim
water@PERMANENT 1 myrivers id /home/guser/mydbf dbf
\endverbatim

This definion overwrites the definition saved in PERMANENT/VAR and
links the water map from PERMANENT mapset to the user's table.

Modules should be written so that connections to databases for each
vector layer are independent. It should be possible to read attributes
of an input vector map from one database and write to some other and
even with some other driver (should not be a problem).

There are open questions, however. For one, how does one distinguish when
new tables should be written and when not? For example, definitions:

\verbatim
river 1 river id water odbc
river.backup* 1 NONE
\endverbatim

could be used to say that tables should not be copied for backups of
map river because table is stored in a reliable RDBMS.

\section vlibs Vector libraries

Besides internal library functions there are two main libraries:

- Vlib (Vector library), see \ref vlibIntro
- DGLib (Directed Graph Library), see \ref vlibDglib

For historical reasons, there are two internal libraries:

- diglib (with dig_*() functions), GRASS 3.x/4.x
- Vlib (with V1_*(), V2_*() and Vect_*() functions), since GRASS 4.x
  (except for the 5.7 interim version)

The vector library was introduced in GRASS 4.0 to hide internal vector
files' formats and structures.  In GRASS 6/7, everything is accessed via
Vect_*() functions, for example:

Old 4.x code:

\code
    xx = Map.Att[Map.Area[area_num].att].x;
\endcode

New 6.x/7.x functions:

\code
    centroid = Vect_get_area_centroid(Map, area_num);
    Vect_read_line(Map, line_p, NULL, centroid);
    Vect_line_get_point(line_p, 0, &xx, NULL, NULL);
\endcode

In GRASS 6/7, all internal, mostly non-topological vector functions are
hidden from the modules' API (mainly dig_*(), V1_*() and V2_*()
functions). All available Vect_*() functions are topological vector
functions.


The following include file contains definitions and structures
required by some of the routines in this library. The programmer
should therefore include this file in any code that uses the vector
library:

\code
#include <grass/vector.h>
\endcode

<i>Note: For details please read Blazek et al. 2002 (see below) as
well as the references in this document.</i>

\subsection vlibHistory Historical notes

The vector library in GRASS 4.0 changed significantly from the
<em>Digit Library</em> (diglib) used in GRASS 3.1. Below is an
overview of why the changes were made.

The Digit Library was a collage of subroutines created for developing
the map development programs. Few of these subroutines were actually
designed as a user access library. They required individuals to assume
too much responsibility and control over what happened to the data
file. Thus when it came time to change vector data file formats for
GRASS 4.0, many modules also required modification. The two different
access levels for 3.0 vector files provided very different ways of
calling the library; they offered little consistency for the user.

The Digit Library was originally designed to only have one file open
for read or write at a time. Although it was possible in some cases to
get around this, one restriction was the global head structure. Since
there was only one instance of this, there could only be one copy of
that information, and thus, only one open vector file.

The solution to these problems was to design a new user library as an
interface to the vector data files. This new library was designed to
provide a simple consistent interface, which hides as much of the
details of the data format as possible. It also could be extended for
future enhancements without the need to change existing programs.

The new vector library in GRASS 4 provided routines for opening,
closing, reading, and writing vector files, as well as several support
functions. The Digit Library has been replaced, so that all existing
modules was converted to use the new library. Those routines that
existed in the Digit Library and were not affected by these changes
continue to exist in unmodified form, and were included in the vector
library. Most of the commonly used routines have been discarded, and
replaced by the new vector routines.

Instead the global head structure was used own local version of
it. The structure that replaced structure head is structure \ref
dig_head. There were still two levels of interface to the vector files
(future releases may include more). Level one provided access only to
arc (i.e. polyline) information and to the type of line (AREA, LINE,
DOT). Level two provided access to polygons (areas), attributes, and
network topology.

\section vlibStructures Vector library data structures

All data structure used by the vector library are defined in
include/vect/dig_structs.h. See the list bellow:

Major:

- \ref Map_info
- \ref Plus_head
- \ref dig_head

Supporting:

- \ref bound_box
- \ref gvfile
- \ref Port_info
- \ref Coor_info
- \ref spatial_index

Format-related:

- \ref Format_info
- \ref Format_info_ogr

DB-related:

- \ref field_info
- \ref dblinks

Geometry-related:

- \ref line_pnts

Category-related:

- \ref line_cats
- \ref cat_list
- \ref Cat_index

Topology-related:

- \ref P_node
- \ref P_line
- \ref P_area
- \ref P_isle

Misc:

- \ref ilist
- \ref varray

Obsolete:

- \ref site_att
- \ref recycle

\section vlibGeometry Vector library feature geometry

\subsection vlibFeatureTypes Feature types

Feature types are defined in include/vect_dig_defines.h, see the list bellow:

- GV_POINT
- GV_LINE
- GV_BOUNDARY
- GV_CENTROID
- GV_FACE    
- GV_KERNEL  
- GV_AREA
- GV_VOLUME

- GV_POINTS (GV_POINT | GV_CENTROID)
- GV_LINES (GV_LINE | GV_BOUNDARY)

Face and kernel are 3D equivalents of boundary and centroid, but there
is no support (yet) for 3D topology (volumes). Faces are used in a
couple of modules including NVIZ to visualize 3D buildings and other
volumetric figures.

\subsection vlibCoorFileFormat Coor file format specification

In the coor file the following is stored: 'line' (element) type,
number of attributes and layer number for each category. Coordinates
in binary file are stored as double (8 bytes). See \ref Coor_info data
structure.

\subsubsection vlibCoorFileHead Header

<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse" cellpadding="5">
<tr><td><b>Name</b></td><td><b>Type</b></td><td><b>Number</b></td><td><b>Description</b></td></tr>
<tr><td>Version_Major</td> <td>C</td> <td>1</td> <td>file version (major)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Version_Minor</td> <td>C</td> <td>1</td> <td>file version (minor)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Back_Major</td>    <td>C</td> <td>1</td> <td>supported from GRASS version (major)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Back_Minor</td>    <td>C</td> <td>1</td> <td>supported from GRASS version (minor)</td></tr>
<tr><td>byte_order</td>    <td>C</td> <td>1</td> <td>little or big endian flag</td></tr>
<tr><td>head_size</td>     <td>L</td> <td>1</td> <td>header size of coor file</td></tr>
<tr><td>with_z</td>        <td>C</td> <td>1</td> <td>2D or 3D flag; zero for 2D</td></tr>
<tr><td>size</td>          <td>L</td> <td>1</td> <td>coor file size</td></tr>
</table>

\subsubsection vlibCoorFileBody Body

The body consists of line records:

<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse" cellpadding="5">
<tr><td><b>Name</b></td><td><b>Type</b></td><td><b>Number</b></td><td><b>Description</b></td></tr>
<tr><td>record header</td><td>C</td><td>1</td><td>
 - 0. bit: 1 - alive, 0 - dead line
 - 1. bit: 1 - categories, 0 - no categories
 - 2.-3. bit: type - one of: GV_POINT, GV_LINE, GV_BOUNDARY, GV_CENTROID, GV_FACE, GV_KERNEL
 - 4.-7. bit: reserved, not used 
</td></tr>

<tr><td>ncats</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>number of categories 
    (written only if categories exist) </td></tr>

<tr><td>field</td><td>I</td><td>ncats</td><td>field identifier,
    distinguishes between more categories append to one feature (written
    only if categories exist; field is called "layer" at user
    level)</td></tr>

<tr><td>cat</td><td>I</td><td>ncats</td><td>category value (written
    only if categories exist)</td></tr>

<tr><td>ncoor</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>written for GV_LINES and GV_BOUNDARIES 
    only</td></tr>

<tr><td>x</td><td>D</td><td>ncoor</td><td>x coordinate</td></tr>

<tr><td>y</td><td>D</td><td>ncoor</td><td>y coordinate</td></tr>

<tr><td>z</td><td>D</td><td>ncoor</td><td>z coordinate; present if
    with_z in head is set to 1</td></tr> </table>

Types used in coor file:

<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse" cellpadding="5">
<tr><td><b>Type</b></td><td><b>Name</b></td><td><b>Size in Bytes</b></td></tr>
<tr><td>D</td><td>Double</td><td>8</td></tr>
<tr><td>L</td><td>Long  </td><td>4</td></tr>
<tr><td>I</td><td>Int   </td><td>4</td></tr>
<tr><td>S</td><td>Short </td><td>4</td></tr>
<tr><td>C</td><td>Char  </td><td>1</td></tr>
</table>

\section vlibTopoManagement Vector library topology management

Topology general characteristics:

- geometry and attributes are stored separately
   (don't read both if it is not necessary - usually it is not)
- the format is topological (areas build from boundaries)
- currently only 2D topology is supported

Topology is written for native format while pseudo-topology (boundaries
constructed from polygons) is written for OGR sources, see
<tt>v.external</tt> module.

The following rules apply to the vector data:

- Boundaries should not cross each other (i.e., boundaries which would
  cross must be split at their intersection to form distict boundaries).
  Lines can cross each other, e.g. bridges over rivers.
- Lines and boundaries share nodes only if their endpoints are identical.
  Lines or boundaries canbe forced to share a common node by snapping
  them together. This is particulary important since nodes
  are not represented in the coor file, but only implicitly as
  endpoints of lines and boundaries.
- Common area boundaries should appear only once (i.e., should not be
  double digitized).
- Areas must be explicitly closed. This means that it must be possible
  to complete each area by following one or more boundaries that are
  connected by common nodes, and that such tracings result in closed
  areas.
- It is recommended that area features and linear features be placed
  in separate layers. However if area features and linear features
  must appear in one layer, common boundaries should be digitized only
  once. A boundary that is also a line (e.g., a road which is also a
  field boundary), should be digitized as a boundary to complete the
  area. The area feature should be labeled by a centroid as an
  area. Additionally, the common boundary itself (i.e., the boundary
  which is also a line) should be labeled as a line by a distinct
  category number.

Vector map topology can be cleaned at user level by <tt>v.clean</tt>
command.

\subsection vlibTopoFileFormat Topo file format specification

Topo file is read by Vect_open_topo().

\subsubsection vlibTopoFileHead Header

<i>Note:</i> <tt>plus</tt> is an instance of \ref Plus_head data structure.

<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse" cellpadding="5">
<tr><td><b>Name</b></td><td><b>Type</b></td><td><b>Number</b></td><td><b>Description</b></td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->Version_Major </td><td>C</td><td>1</td><td>file version (major)</td></tr>
<tr><td>plus->Version_Minor </td><td>C</td><td>1</td><td>file version (minor)</td></tr>
<tr><td>plus->Back_Major</td><td>C</td><td>1</td><td>supported from GRASS version (major)</td></tr>
<tr><td>plus->Back_Minor</td><td>C</td><td>1</td><td>supported from GRASS version (minor)</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->port->byte_order</td><td>C</td><td>1</td><td>little or big endian
                  flag; files are written in machine native order but
                  files in both little and big endian order may be
                  readl; zero for little endian</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->head_size</td><td>L</td><td>1</td><td>header size</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->with_z</td><td>C</td><td>1</td><td>2D or 3D flag; zero for 2D</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->box</td><td>D</td><td>6</td><td>Bounding box coordinates (N,S,E,W,T,B)</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->n_nodes, plus->n_lines, etc.</td><td>I</td><td>7</td><td>Number of
nodes, edges, lines, areas, isles, volumes and holes</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->n_plines, plus->n_llines, etc.</td><td>I</td><td>7</td><td>Number of
points, lines, boundaries, centroids, faces and kernels</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->Node_offset, plus->Edge_offset,
etc.</td><td>L</td><td>7</td><td>Offset value for nodes, edges, lines,
areas, isles, volumes and holes</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->coor_size</td><td>L</td><td>1</td><td>File size</td></tr>
</table>

\subsubsection vlibTopoFileBody Body (nodes, lines, areas, isles)

<b>Nodes</b>

For each node (n_nodes):

<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse" cellpadding="5">
<tr><td><b>Name</b></td><td><b>Type</b></td><td><b>Number</b></td><td><b>Description</b></td></tr>
<tr><td>n_lines</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>Number of lines (0 for dead node)</td></tr>
<tr><td>lines</td><td>I</td><td>n_lines</td><td>Line ids</td></tr>
<tr><td>angles</td><td>D</td><td>n_lines</td><td>Angle value</td></tr>
<tr><td>n_edges</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>Reserved for edges (only for with_z)</td></tr>
<tr><td>x,y</td><td>D</td><td>2</td><td>Coordinate pair</td></tr>
<tr><td>z</td><td>D</td><td>1</td><td>Only for with_z</td></tr>
</table>

See \ref P_node data structure.

<b>Lines</b>

For each line (n_lines):

<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse" cellpadding="5">
<tr><td><b>Name</b></td><td><b>Type</b></td><td><b>Number</b></td><td><b>Description</b></td></tr>
<tr><td>feature type</td><td>C</td><td>1</td><td>0 for dead</td></tr>
<tr><td>offset</td><td>L</td><td>1</td><td>Line offset</td></tr>
<tr><td>N1</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>First node id (only if feature type is GV_LINE or GV_BOUNDARY)</td></tr>
<tr><td>N2</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>Second node id (only if feature type is GV_LINE or GV_BOUNDARY)</td></tr>
<tr><td>left</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>Left area id for feature type GV_BOUNDARY / Area id for feature type GV_CENTROID</td></tr>
<tr><td>right</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>Right area id (for feature type GV_BOUNDARY)</td></tr>
<tr><td>vol</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>Reserved for kernel (volume number, for feature type GV_KERNEL)</td></tr>
</table>

See \ref P_line data structure.

<b>Areas</b>

For each area (n_areas):

<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse" cellpadding="5">
<tr><td><b>Name</b></td><td><b>Type</b></td><td><b>Number</b></td><td><b>Description</b></td></tr>
<tr><td>n_lines</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>number of boundaries</td></tr>
<tr><td>lines</td><td>I</td><td>n_lines</td><td>Line ids</td></tr>
<tr><td>n_isles</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>Number of isles</td></tr>
<tr><td>isles</td><td>I</td><td>n_isles</td><td>Isle ids</td></tr>
<tr><td>centroid</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>Centroid id</td></tr>
</table>

See \ref P_area data structure.

<b>Isles</b>

For each isle (n_isle):

<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse" cellpadding="5">
<tr><td><b>Name</b></td><td><b>Type</b></td><td><b>Number</b></td><td><b>Description</b></td></tr>
<tr><td>n_lines</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>number of boundaries</td></tr>
<tr><td>lines</td><td>I</td><td>n_lines</td><td>Line ids</td></tr>
<tr><td>area</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>Outer area id</td></tr>
</table>

See \ref P_isle data structure.

\subsection vlibTopoLevels Topology levels

The vector library defines more <i>topology levels</i> (only for level
of access 2):

- GV_BUILD_NONE
- GV_BUILD_BASE
- GV_BUILD_AREAS
- GV_BUILD_ATTACH_ISLES
- GV_BUILD_CENTROIDS
- GV_BUILD_ALL

<i>Note:</i> Only the geometry type GV_BOUNDARY is used to build
areas. The geometry type GV_LINE cannot form an area.

\subsection vlibTopoExamples Topology examples

<b>Points</b>

\verbatim
One point (nodes: 1, lines: 1, areas: 0, isles: 0)

    + N1/L1
\endverbatim

%Node N1 (see \ref P_Node)

\verbatim
node = 1, n_lines = 1, xyz = 631286.707172, 225105.223577, 0.000000
  line =   1, type = 1, angle = -9.000000
\endverbatim

Line L1 (see \ref P_Line)

\verbatim
line = 1, type = 1, offset = 18 n1 = 1, n2 = 1, left/area = 0, right = 0
\endverbatim

<b>Lines</b>

\verbatim
One line (nodes: 2, lines: 1, areas: 0, isles: 0)


   +----L1----+
   N1         N2
\endverbatim

%Node N1 (see \ref P_Node)

\verbatim
node = 1, n_lines = 1, xyz = 634624.746450, 223557.302231, 0.000000
  line =   1, type = 2, angle = -0.436257
\endverbatim

%Node N2 (see \ref P_Node)

\verbatim
node = 2, n_lines = 1, xyz = 638677.484787, 221667.849899, 0.000000
  line =  -1, type = 2, angle = 2.705335
\endverbatim

Line L1 (see \ref P_Line)

\verbatim
line = 1, type = 2, offset = 18 n1 = 1, n2 = 2, left/area = 0, right = 0
\endverbatim

<b>Areas without holes</b>

\verbatim
Two lines (nodes: 1, lines: 2, areas: 1, isles: 1)

          +N1
         /   \
        /     \
       /       \
      /   +L2   \
     /           \
    -------L1------
\endverbatim

%Node N1 (see \ref P_Node)

\verbatim
node = 1, n_lines = 2, xyz = 635720.081136, 225063.387424, 0.000000
  line =   1, type = 4, angle = -2.245537
  line =  -1, type = 4, angle = -0.842926
\endverbatim

Line L1 (see \ref P_Line)

\verbatim
line = 1, type = 4, offset = 18 n1 = 1, n2 = 1, left/area = 1, right = -1
\endverbatim

Line L2 (see \ref P_Line)

\verbatim
line = 2, type = 8, offset = 87 n1 = 2, n2 = 2, left/area = 1, right = 0
\endverbatim

Area A1 (see \ref P_Area)

\verbatim
area = 1, n_lines = 1, n_isles = 0 centroid = 2
  line =  -1
\endverbatim

Isle I1 (see \ref P_Isle)

\verbatim
isle = 1, n_lines = 1 area = 0
  line =   1
\endverbatim

<b>Areas with holes</b>

\verbatim
Three lines (nodes: 2, lines: 3, areas: 2, isles: 2)

             +N1
            / \
           /   \
          /     \
         /       \
        /    +L2  \
       /           \
      /   +N2       \
     /   /\          \
    /   /  \          \
   /   /    \          \
  /    ---L3--          \
 /                       \
------------L1-------------
\endverbatim

%Node N1 (see \ref P_Node)

\verbatim
node = 1, n_lines = 2, xyz = 635720.081136, 225063.387424, 0.000000
  line =   1, type = 4, angle = -2.245537
  line =  -1, type = 4, angle = -0.842926
\endverbatim

%Node N2 (see \ref P_Node)

\verbatim
node = 3, n_lines = 2, xyz = 636788.032454, 223173.935091, 0.000000
  line =   3, type = 4, angle = -2.245537
  line =  -3, type = 4, angle = -0.866302
\endverbatim

Line L1 (see \ref P_Line)

\verbatim
line = 1, type = 4, offset = 18 n1 = 1, n2 = 1, left/area = 1, right = -1
\endverbatim

Line L2 (see \ref P_Line)

\verbatim
line = 2, type = 8, offset = 87 n1 = 2, n2 = 2, left/area = 1, right = 0
\endverbatim

Line L3 (see \ref P_Line)

\verbatim
line = 3, type = 4, offset = 197 n1 = 3, n2 = 3, left/area = 2, right = -2
\endverbatim

Area A1 (see \ref P_Area)

\verbatim
area = 1, n_lines = 1, n_isles = 1 centroid = 2
  line =  -1
  isle =   2
\endverbatim

Area A2 (see \ref P_Area)

\verbatim
area = 2, n_lines = 1, n_isles = 0 centroid = 0
  line =  -3
\endverbatim

Isle I1 (see \ref P_Isle)

\verbatim
isle = 1, n_lines = 1 area = 0
  line =   1
\endverbatim

Isle I2 (see \ref P_Isle)

\verbatim
isle = 2, n_lines = 1 area = 1
  line =   3
\endverbatim

<b>Example 1</b>

A polygon may be formed by many boundaries (several connected primitives).
One boundary is shared by adjacent areas.

\verbatim
+--1--+--5--+
|     |     |
2  A  4  B  6
|     |     |
+--3--+--7--+

1,2,3,4,5,6,7 = 7 boundaries (primitives)
A,B = 2 areas
A+B = 1 isle
\endverbatim

<b>Example 2</b>

This is handled correctly in GRASS: A can be filled, B filled differently.

\verbatim
+---------+
|    A    |
+-----+   |
|  B  |   |
+-----+   |
|         |
+---------+

A, B = 2 areas
A+B  = 1 isle
\endverbatim

In GRASS, whenever an 'inner' ring touches the boundary of an outside
area, even in one point, it is no longer an 'inner' ring (isle in
GRASS topology), it is simply another area. A, B above can never be
exported from GRASS as polygon A with inner ring B because there are
only 2 areas A and B and one island formed by A and B together.

<b>Example 3</b>

This is handled correctly in GRASS: Areas A1, A2, and A3 can be filled differently.

\verbatim
+---------------------+
|  A1                 |
+   +------+------+   |
|   |  A2  |  A3  |   |
+   +------+------+   |
|          I1         |
+---------------------+

A1,A2,A3 = 3 areas
A1,A2+A3 = 2 isles
\endverbatim

In GRASS, whenever an 'inner' ring does not touch the boundary of an
outside area, also not in one point, it is an 'inner' ring (isle). The
areas A2 and A3 form a single isle I1 located within area A1. The size
of isle I1 is substracted from the size of area A1 when calculating
the size of area A1. Any centroids falling into isle I1 are excluded
when searching for a centroid that can be attached to area A1. A1
above can be exported from GRASS as polygon A1 with inner ring I1.

<b>Example 4</b>

<tt>v.in.ogr/v.clean</tt> can identify dangles and change the type
from boundary to line (in TIGER data for example). Distinction
between line and boundary isn't important only for dangles. Example:

\verbatim
+-----+-----+
|     .     |
|     .     |
+.....+.....+
|     .     |
|  x  .     |
+-----+-----+

----  road + boundary of one parcel => type boundary
....  road => type line
x     parcel centroid (identifies whole area)
\endverbatim

Because lines are not used to build areas, we have only one
area/centroid, instead of 4 which would be necessary in TIGER.

\subsection vlibTopoMemory Topology memory management

Topology is generated for all kinds of vector types.  Memory is not
released by default. The programmer can force the library to release
the memory by using Vect_set_release_support(). But: The programmer
cannot run Vect_set_release_support() in mid process because all
vectors are needed in the spatial index, which is needed to build topology.

Topology is also necessary for points in case of a vector network
because the graph is built using topology information about lines
and points.

The topology structure does not only store the topology but also
the 'line' bounding box and line offset in coor file (index).
The existing spatial index is using line ID in 'topology' structure
to identify lines in 'coor' file. Currently it is not possible to build
spatial index without topology.


\section vlibSpidx Vector library spatial index management

Spatial index (based on R*-tree) is created with topology, see \ref
RTree data structure.

Spatial index occupies a lot of memory but it is necessary for 
topology building. Also, it takes some time to release the memory
occupied by spatial index (see dig_spidx_free()). The spatial index can
also be built in file to save memory by setting the environment variable
GRASS_VECTOR_LOWMEM.

The function building topology - Vect_build() - is usually called at
the end of modules (before Vect_close()) so it is faster to call
<tt>exit()</tt> and operating system releases all the memory much
faster.  By default the memory is not released.

It is possible to call Vect_set_release_support() before Vect_close()
to enforce memory release, but it takes some time on large files.

The spatial index is stored in file and not loaded for old vectors that
are not updated, saving a lot of memory. Spatial queries are done in 
file.

Currently most of the modules do not release the memory occupied for
spatial index and work like this (pseudocode):

\code
int main
{
     Vect_open_new();
     /* writing new vector */

     Vect_build();
     Vect_close();  /* memory is not released */
}
\endcode

In general it is possible to free the memory with Vect_set_release_support()
such as:

\code
int main
{
     Vect_open_new();
     /* writing new vector */

     Vect_build();
     Vect_set_release_support();
     Vect_close();  /* memory is released */
}
\endcode

but it takes a bit longer. 

It makes sense to release the spatial index if it is used only at the beginning
of a module or in permanently running programs like QGIS. Note that this
applies only when creating a new vector or updating an old vector.
For example:

\code
int main
{
     Vect_open_update();
     /* select features using spatial index, e.g.  Vect_select_lines_by_box() */
     Vect_set_release_support();
     Vect_close();  /* memory is released */

     /* do some processing which needs memory */
}
\endcode

See also \ref spatial_index data structure.

\subsection vlibSidxFileFormat Sidx file format specification

Spatial index file ('sidx') is read by Vect_open_sidx().

\subsubsection vlibSidxFileHead Header

Note: <tt>plus</tt> is instance of \ref Plus_head structure.

<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse" cellpadding="5">
<tr><td><b>Name</b></td><td><b>Type</b></td><td><b>Number</b></td><td><b>Description</b></td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->spidx_Version_Major </td><td>C</td><td>1</td><td>file version (major)</td></tr>
<tr><td>plus->spidx_Version_Minor </td><td>C</td><td>1</td><td>file version (minor)</td></tr>
<tr><td>plus->spidx_Back_Major</td><td>C</td><td>1</td><td>supported from GRASS version (major)</td></tr>
<tr><td>plus->spidx_Back_Minor</td><td>C</td><td>1</td><td>supported from GRASS version (minor)</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->spidx_port->byte_order</td><td>C</td><td>1</td><td>little or big endian
                  flag; files are written in machine native order but
                  files in both little and big endian order may be
                  readl; zero for little endian</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->spidx_port.off_t_size</td><td>C</td><td>1</td><td>off_t size (LFS)</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->spidx_head_size</td><td>L</td><td>1</td><td>header size</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->spidx_with_z</td><td>C</td><td>1</td><td>2D/3D vector data</td></tr>

<tr><td>ndims</td><td>C</td><td>1</td><td>Number of dimensions</td></tr>

<tr><td>nsides</td><td>C</td><td>1</td><td>Number of sides</td></tr>

<tr><td>nodesize</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>%Node size</td></tr>

<tr><td>nodecard</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>%Node card (?)</td></tr>

<tr><td>leafcard</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>Leaf card (?)</td></tr>

<tr><td>min_node_fill</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>Minimum node fill (?)</td></tr>

<tr><td>min_leaf_fill</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>Minimum leaf fill (?)</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->Node_spidx->n_nodes</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>Number of nodes</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->Node_spidx->n_leafs</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>Number of leafs</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->Node_spidx->n_levels</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>Number of levels</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->Node_spidx_offset</td><td>O</td><td>1</td><td>%Node offset</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->Line_spidx->n_nodes</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>Number of nodes</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->Line_spidx->n_leafs</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>Number of leafs</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->Line_spidx->n_levels</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>Number of levels</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->Line_spidx_offset</td><td>O</td><td>1</td><td>Line offset</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->Area_spidx->n_nodes</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>Number of nodes</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->Area_spidx->n_leafs</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>Number of leafs</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->Area_spidx->n_levels</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>Number of levels</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->Area_spidx_offset</td><td>O</td><td>1</td><td>Area offset</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->Isle_spidx->n_nodes</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>Number of nodes</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->Isle_spidx->n_leafs</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>Number of leafs</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->Isle_spidx->n_levels</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>Number of levels</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->Isle_spidx_offset</td><td>O</td><td>1</td><td>Isle offset</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->Face_spidx_offset</td><td>O</td><td>1</td><td>Face offset</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->Volume_spidx_offset</td><td>O</td><td>1</td><td>Volume offset</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->Hole_spidx_offset</td><td>O</td><td>1</td><td>Hole offset</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->coor_size</td><td>O</td><td>1</td><td>Coor file size</td></tr>
</table>

\section vlibCidx Vector library category index management

The category index (stored in the cidx file) improves the performance
of all selections by cats/attributes (SQL, e.g. <tt>d.vect
cats=27591</tt>, <tt>v.extract list=20000-21000</tt>). This avoids
that all selections have to be made by looping through all vector
lines.  Category index is also essential for simple feature
representation of GRASS vectors.

Category index is created for each field. In memory, it is stored in
\ref Cat_index data structure.

Category index is built with topology, but it is <b>not updated</b> if
vector is edited on level 2.  Category index is stored in 'cidx' file,
'cat' array is written/read by one call of dig__fwrite_port_I() or
dig__fread_port_I().

Stored values can be retrieved either by index in 'cat' array (if all
features of given field are required) or by category value (one or few
features), always by <tt>Vect_cidx_*()</tt> functions.

To create category index, it will be necessary to rebuild topology for
all existing vectors.  This is an opportunity to make (hopefully) last
changes in 'topo', 'cidx' formats.

\subsection vlibCidxFileFormat Cidx file format specification

Category index file ('cidx') is read by Vect_cidx_open().

\subsubsection vlibCidxFileHead Header

Note: <tt>plus</tt> is instance of \ref Plus_head structure.

<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse" cellpadding="5">
<tr><td><b>Name</b></td><td><b>Type</b></td><td><b>Number</b></td><td><b>Description</b></td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->cpidx_Version_Major </td><td>C</td><td>1</td><td>file version (major)</td></tr>
<tr><td>plus->cpidx_Version_Minor </td><td>C</td><td>1</td><td>file version (minor)</td></tr>
<tr><td>plus->cpidx_Back_Major</td><td>C</td><td>1</td><td>supported from GRASS version (major)</td></tr>
<tr><td>plus->cpidx_Back_Minor</td><td>C</td><td>1</td><td>supported from GRASS version (minor)</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->cidx_port->byte_order</td><td>C</td><td>1</td><td>little or big endian
                  flag; files are written in machine native order but
                  files in both little and big endian order may be
                  readl; zero for little endian</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->cidx_head_size</td><td>L</td><td>1</td><td>cidx head size</td></tr>

<tr><td>plus->n_cidx</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>number of fields</td></tr>

<tr><td>field</td><td>I</td><td>n_cidx</td><td>field number</td></tr>

<tr><td>n_cats</td><td>I</td><td>n_cidx</td><td>number of categories</td></tr>

<tr><td>n_ucats</td><td>I</td><td>n_cidx</td><td>number of unique categories</td></tr>

<tr><td>n_types</td><td>I</td><td>n_cidx</td><td>number of feature types</td></tr>

<tr><td>rtype</td><td>I</td><td>n_cidx * n_types</td><td>Feature type</td></tr>

<tr><td>type[t]</td><td>I</td><td>n_cidx * n_types</td><td>Number of items</td></tr>

</table>

\section vlibTin Vector TINs

TINs are simply created as 2D/3D vector polygons consisting of 
3 vertices. See Vect_tin_get_z().


\section vlibOgrIface OGR interface

\subsection vLibPseudoTopo Pseudo-topology

Reduced topology: each boundary is attached to one area only,
i.e. smoothing, simplification, removing small areas etc. will not
work properly for adjacent areas or areas within areas.

Full topology is only available for native GRASS vectors or can only
be built after all polygons are converted to areas and cleaned as done
by <tt>v.in.ogr</tt>.

\subsection vlibFrmtFileFormat Frmt file format specification

Frmt is a plain text file which contains basic information about
external format of linked vector map. Each line contains key, value
pairs separated by comma.

OGR specific format is described by:

 - FORMAT - ogr
 - DSN - OGR datasource name
 - LAYER - OGR layer name

Example:

\verbatim
FORMAT: ogr
DSN: /path/to/shapefiles
LAYER: cities
\endverbatim

OGR layer can be linked via <tt>v.external</tt> command. When linking
OGR layer pseudo-topology ('topo') is built including spatial index
file ('sidx') and category index file ('cidx'). Additionally also
feature index file (see \ref vlibFidxFileFormat) is created.

\subsection vlibFidxFileFormat Fidx file format specification

Note: <tt>finfo</tt> is an instance of \ref Format_info structure.

<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse" cellpadding="5">
<tr><td><b>Name</b></td><td><b>Type</b></td><td><b>Number</b></td><td><b>Description</b></td></tr>

<tr><td>Version_Major </td><td>C</td><td>1</td><td>file version (major)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Version_Minor </td><td>C</td><td>1</td><td>file version (minor)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Back_Major</td><td>C</td><td>1</td><td>supported from GRASS version (major)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Back_Minor</td><td>C</td><td>1</td><td>supported from GRASS version (minor)</td></tr>

<tr><td>byte_order</td><td>C</td><td>1</td><td>little or big endian
                  flag; files are written in machine native order but
                  files in both little and big endian order may be
                  readl; zero for little endian</td></tr>

<tr><td>length</td><td>L</td><td>1</td><td>header size</td></tr>

<tr><td>fInfo.ogr.offset_num</td><td>I</td><td>1</td><td>number of records</td></tr>

<tr><td>fInfo.ogr.offset</td><td>I</td><td>offset_num</td><td>offsets</td></tr>

</table>

\section vlibDglib DGLib (Directed Graph Library)

\ref dglib or DGLib (Micarelli 2002, http://grass.osgeo.org/dglib/)
provides functionality for vector network analysis. This library
released under GPL is hosted by the GRASS project (within the GRASS
source code). As a stand-alone library it may also be used by other
software projects.

The Directed Graph Library library provides functionality to assign
costs to lines and/or nodes. That means that costs can be accumulated
while traveling along polylines. The user can assign individual costs
to all lines and/or nodes of a vector map and later calculate least costly
path connections based on the accumulated costs. Applications are
transport analysis, connectivity and more. Implemented applications
cover shortest/fastest path, traveling salesman (round trip), allocation of
sources (creation of subnetworks), minimum Steiner trees (star-like
connections), and iso-distances (from centers).

For details, please read Blazek et al. 2002 (see below).

Related vector functions are:
 Vect_graph_add_edge(),
 Vect_graph_init(),
 Vect_graph_set_node_costs(),
 Vect_graph_shortest_path(),
 Vect_net_build_graph(),
 Vect_net_nearest_nodes(),
 Vect_net_shortest_path(), and
 Vect_net_shortest_path_coor().

\section vlibAscii Vector ASCII Format Specifications

The GRASS ASCII vector map format may contain a mix of primitives
including points, lines, boundaries, centroids, faces, and
kernels. The format may also contain a header with various metadata
(see example below).

Vector map can be converted to the ASCII representation at user level
by <tt>v.out.ascii format=standard</tt> command.

See \ref vlibAsciiFn for list of related functions.

The header is similar as the head file of vector binary format (see
\ref vlibHeadFileFormat) but contains bounding box also. Keywords are:

\verbatim
ORGANIZATION
DIGIT DATE
DIGIT NAME
MAP NAME
MAP DATE
MAP SCALE
OTHER INFO
ZONE
WEST EDGE
EAST EDGE
SOUTH EDGE
NORTH EDGE
MAP THRESH
\endverbatim

Example:

\verbatim
ORGANIZATION: NC OneMap
DIGIT DATE:   
DIGIT NAME:   helena
MAP NAME:     North Carolina selected bridges (points map)
MAP DATE:     Mon Nov  6 15:32:39 2006
MAP SCALE:    1
OTHER INFO:   
ZONE:         0
MAP THRESH:   0.000000
\endverbatim

The body begins with the row:

\verbatim
VERTI:
\endverbatim

followed by records of primitives:

\verbatim
TYPE NUMBER_OF_COORDINATES [NUMBER_OF_CATEGORIES]
 X Y [Z]
....
 X Y [Z]
[ LAYER CATEGORY]
....
[ LAYER CATEGORY]
\endverbatim

Everything above in <tt>[]</tt> is optional. 

The primitive codes are as follows:

- 'P': point
- 'L': line
- 'B': boundary
- 'C': centroid
- 'F': face (3D boundary)
- 'K': kernel (3D centroid)
- 'A': area (boundary) - better use 'B'; kept only for backward
compatibility

The coordinates are listed following the initial line containing the
primitive code, the total number of vectors in the series, and (optionally)
the number of categories (1 for a single layer, higher for multiple layers).
Below that 1 or several lines follow to indicate the layer number and
the category number (ID).

The order of coordinates is
\verbatim
  X Y [Z]
\endverbatim

Note: The points are stored as y, x (i.e., east, north), which is the
reserve of the way GRASS usually represents geographic coordinates.

Example:

\verbatim
P  1 1
 375171.4992779 317756.72097616
 1     1 
B  5
 637740       219580      
 639530       219580      
 639530       221230      
 637740       221230      
 637740       219580      
C  1 1
 638635       220405      
 1     2
\endverbatim

In this example, the first vector feature is a point with category
number 1. The second vector feature is a boundary composed by 5
points. The third feature is a centroid with category number 2. The
boundary and the centroid form an area with category number 2. All
vector feature mentioned above are located in layer 1.

\section vlibFunc List of vector library functions

The vector library provides the GRASS programmer with routines to
process vector data. The routines in the vector library are presented
in functional groupings, rather than in alphabetical order. The order
of presentation will, it is hoped, provide better understanding of how
the library is to be used, as well as show the interrelationships
among the various routines. Note that a good way to understand how to
use these routines is to look at the source code for GRASS modules
which use them.

Note: All routines start with one of following prefixes Vect_, V1_,
V2_ or dig_. To avoid name conficts, programmers should not create
variables or routines in their own modules which use this prefix.

The Vect_*() functions are the programmer's API for GRASS vector
programming. The programmer should use only routines with this prefix.

- \subpage vlibArea
- \subpage vlibArray
- \subpage vlibBox
- \subpage vlibBreakLines
- \subpage vlibBreakPolygons
- \subpage vlibBridges
- \subpage vlibBuffer
- \subpage vlibBuild
- \subpage vlibBuildNat
- \subpage vlibBuildOgr
- \subpage vlibCats
- \subpage vlibCindex
- \subpage vlibCleanNodes
- \subpage vlibClose
- \subpage vlibConstraint
- \subpage vlibDangles
- \subpage vlibDbcolumns
- \subpage vlibError
- \subpage vlibField
- \subpage vlibFind
- \subpage vlibGraph
- \subpage vlibHeader
- \subpage vlibHist
- \subpage vlibInitHead
- \subpage vlibIntersect
- \subpage vlibLegalVname
- \subpage vlibLevel
- \subpage vlibLevelTwo
- \subpage vlibLine
- \subpage vlibList
- \subpage vlibMap
- \subpage vlibNet
- \subpage vlibOpen
- \subpage vlibOverlay
- \subpage vlibVpoly
- \subpage vlibRead
- \subpage vlibRemoveAreas
- \subpage vlibRemoveDuplicates
- \subpage vlibRewind
- \subpage vlibSelect
- \subpage vlibSindex
- \subpage vlibSnap
- \subpage vlibTin
- \subpage vlibType
- \subpage vlibDelete
- \subpage vlibWrite
- \subpage vlibAsciiFn
- \subpage vlibSFAFn
- \subpage vlibGeosFn

\section vlibArea Vector area functions

 - Vect_get_area_area()

 - Vect_get_area_boundaries()

 - Vect_get_area_centroid()

 - Vect_get_area_isle()

 - Vect_get_area_num_isles()

 - Vect_area_perimeter()

 - Vect_get_area_points()

 - Vect_get_isle_area()

 - Vect_get_isle_boundaries()

 - Vect_get_isle_points()

 - Vect_point_in_area()


\section vlibArray Vector array functions

 - Vect_new_varray()

 - Vect_set_varray_from_cat_list()

 - Vect_set_varray_from_cat_string()

 - Vect_set_varray_from_db()


\section vlibBox Vector bounding box functions

 - Vect_box_copy()

 - Vect_box_clip()

 - Vect_box_extend()

 - Vect_box_overlap()

 - Vect_get_area_box()

 - Vect_get_isle_box()

 - Vect_get_line_box()

 - Vect_get_map_box()

 - Vect_point_in_box()

 - Vect_region_box()


\section vlibBreakLines Vector break lines functions

 - Vect_break_lines()

 - Vect_break_lines_list()


\section vlibBreakPolygons Vector break polygons functions

 - Vect_break_polygons()


\section vlibBridges Vector bridges functions

 - Vect_chtype_bridges()

 - Vect_remove_bridges()


\section vlibBuffer Vector buffer functions

 - Vect_line_buffer()

 - Vect_line_parallel()


\section vlibBuild Vector build functions

 - Vect_build()

 - Vect_build_partial()

 - Vect_get_built()

 - Vect_build_sidx_from_topo()

 - Vect_build_sidx()

 - Vect_save_sidx()

 - Vect_save_topo()

 - Vect_sidx_dump()

 - Vect_topo_dump()


\subsection vlibBuildNat Vector build (native) functions

 - Vect_attach_centroids()

 - Vect_attach_isle()

 - Vect_attach_isles()

 - Vect_build_line_area()

 - Vect_build_nat()

 - Vect_isle_find_area()


\subsection vlibBuildOgr Vector build (OGR) functions

 - Vect_build_ogr()


\section vlibCats Vector categories functions

 - Vect_array_to_cat_list()

 - Vect_cat_del()

 - Vect_cat_get()

 - Vect_cat_in_array()

 - Vect_cat_in_cat_list()

 - Vect_cat_set()

 - Vect_destroy_cat_list()

 - Vect_destroy_cats_struct()

 - Vect_field_cat_del()

 - Vect_get_area_cats()

 - Vect_get_area_cat()

 - Vect_get_line_cat()

 - Vect_new_cat_list()

 - Vect_new_cats_struct()

 - Vect_reset_cats()

 - Vect_str_to_cat_list()


\section vlibCindex Vector category index functions

(note: vector layer is historically called "field")

 - Vect_cidx_dump()

 - Vect_cidx_find_next()

 - Vect_cidx_find_all()

 - Vect_cidx_get_cat_by_index()

 - Vect_cidx_get_field_index()

 - Vect_cidx_get_field_number()

 - Vect_cidx_get_num_cats_by_index()

 - Vect_cidx_get_num_fields()

 - Vect_cidx_get_num_types_by_index()

 - Vect_cidx_get_num_unique_cats_by_index()

 - Vect_cidx_get_type_count()

 - Vect_cidx_get_type_count_by_index()

 - Vect_cidx_open()

 - Vect_cidx_save()

 - Vect_set_category_index_update()


\section vlibCleanNodes Vector clean nodes functions

 - Vect_clean_small_angles_at_nodes()


\section vlibClose Vector close functions

 - Vect_close()


\section vlibConstraint Vector constraint functions

 - Vect_get_constraint_box()

 - Vect_remove_constraints()

 - Vect_set_constraint_region()

 - Vect_set_constraint_type()


\section vlibDangles Vector dangles functions

 - Vect_chtype_dangles()

 - Vect_remove_dangles()

 - Vect_select_dangles()


\section vlibDbcolumns Vector dbcolumns functions

 - Vect_get_column_names()

 - Vect_get_column_names_types()

 - Vect_get_column_types()


\section vlibError Vector error functions

 - Vect_get_fatal_error()

 - Vect_set_fatal_error()


\section vlibField Vector field functions

(note: vector layer is historically called "field")

 - Vect_add_dblink()

 - Vect_check_dblink()

 - Vect_default_field_info()

 - Vect_get_dblink()

 - Vect_get_field()

 - Vect_get_field_by_name()

 - Vect_map_add_dblink()

 - Vect_map_check_dblink()

 - Vect_map_del_dblink()

 - Vect_new_dblinks_struct()

 - Vect_read_dblinks()

 - Vect_reset_dblinks()

 - Vect_set_db_updated()

 - Vect_subst_var()

 - Vect_write_dblinks()


\section vlibFind Vector find functions

 - Vect_find_area()

 - Vect_find_island()

 - Vect_find_line()

 - Vect_find_line_list()

 - Vect_find_node()


\section vlibGraph Vector graph functions

 - Vect_graph_add_edge()

 - Vect_graph_build()

 - Vect_graph_init()

 - Vect_graph_set_node_costs()

 - Vect_graph_shortest_path()


\section vlibHeader Vector header functions

 - Vect_get_comment()

 - Vect_get_constraint_box()

 - Vect_get_date()

 - Vect_get_full_name()

 - Vect_get_map_date()

 - Vect_get_map_name()

 - Vect_get_mapset()

 - Vect_get_name()

 - Vect_get_organization()

 - Vect_get_person()

 - Vect_get_proj()

 - Vect_get_proj_name()

 - Vect_get_scale()

 - Vect_get_thresh()

 - Vect_get_zone()

 - Vect_is_3d()

 - Vect_print_header()

 - Vect_read_header()

 - Vect_set_comment()

 - Vect_set_date()

 - Vect_set_map_date()

 - Vect_set_map_name()

 - Vect_set_organization()

 - Vect_set_person()

 - Vect_set_scale()

 - Vect_set_thresh()

 - Vect_set_zone()

 - Vect_write_header()


\section vlibHist Vector history functions

 - Vect_hist_command()

 - Vect_hist_copy()

 - Vect_hist_read()

 - Vect_hist_rewind()

 - Vect_hist_write()


\section vlibInitHead Vector header functions

 - Vect_copy_head_data()


\section vlibIntersect Vector intersection functions

 - Vect_line_check_intersection()

 - Vect_line_intersection()

 - Vect_segment_intersection()


\section vlibLegalVname Vector valid map name functions

 - Vect_check_input_output_name()

 - Vect_legal_filename()


\section vlibLevel Vector level functions

 - Vect_level()


\section vlibLevelTwo Vector topological (level 2) functions

 - Vect_get_centroid_area()

 - Vect_get_line_areas()

 - Vect_get_line_nodes()

 - Vect_get_node_coor()

 - Vect_get_node_line()

 - Vect_get_node_line_angle()

 - Vect_get_node_n_lines()

 - Vect_get_num_areas()

 - Vect_get_num_dblinks()

 - Vect_get_num_faces()

 - Vect_get_num_islands()

 - Vect_get_num_lines()

 - Vect_get_num_nodes()

 - Vect_get_num_primitives()

 - Vect_get_num_updated_lines()

 - Vect_get_num_updated_nodes()

 - Vect_get_updated_line()

 - Vect_get_updated_node()

 - Vect_set_release_support()


\section vlibLine Vector feature functions

 - Vect_append_point()

 - Vect_append_points()

 - Vect_copy_pnts_to_xyz()

 - Vect_copy_xyz_to_pnts()

 - Vect_destroy_line_struct()

 - Vect_get_num_line_points()

 - Vect_line_box()

 - Vect_line_delete_point()

 - Vect_line_distance()

 - Vect_line_geodesic_length()

 - Vect_line_get_point()

 - Vect_line_insert_point()

 - Vect_line_length()

 - Vect_line_prune()

 - Vect_line_prune_thresh()

 - Vect_line_reverse()

 - Vect_line_segment()

 - Vect_new_line_struct()

 - Vect_point_on_line()

 - Vect_points_distance()

 - Vect_reset_line()


\section vlibList Vector list functions

 - Vect_destroy_list()

 - Vect_list_append()

 - Vect_list_append_list()

 - Vect_list_delete()

 - Vect_list_delete_list()

 - Vect_new_list()

 - Vect_reset_list()

 - Vect_val_in_list()

 - Vect_destroy_boxlist()

 - Vect_boxlist_append()

 - Vect_boxlist_append_boxlist()

 - Vect_boxlist_delete()

 - Vect_boxlist_delete_boxlist()

 - Vect_new_boxlist()

 - Vect_reset_boxlist()

 - Vect_val_in_boxlist()


\section vlibMap Vector map functions

 - Vect_copy()

 - Vect_copy_map_lines()

 - Vect_copy_table()

 - Vect_copy_table_by_cats()

 - Vect_copy_tables()

 - Vect_delete()

 - Vect_rename()


\section vlibMergeLines Vector merge line functions

 - Vect_merge_lines()


\section vlibNet Vector network functions

 - Vect_net_build_graph()

 - Vect_net_get_line_cost()

 - Vect_net_get_node_cost()

 - Vect_net_nearest_nodes()

 - Vect_net_shortest_path()

 - Vect_net_shortest_path_coor()


\section vlibOpen Vector open functions

 - Vect_coor_info()

 - Vect_maptype_info()

 - Vect_maptype()

 - Vect_open_new()

 - Vect__open_old()

 - Vect_open_old()

 - Vect_open_old_head()

 - Vect_open_sidx()

 - Vect_open_topo()

 - Vect_open_update()

 - Vect_open_update_head()

 - Vect_set_open_level()

\section vlibOverlay Vector overlay functions

 - Vect_overlay()

 - Vect_overlay_str_to_operator()


\section vlibVpoly Vector polygon functions

 - Vect_find_poly_centroid()

 - Vect_get_point_in_area()

 - Vect_point_in_area_outer_ring()

 - Vect_point_in_island()

 - Vect_get_point_in_poly()

 - Vect_get_point_in_poly_isl()


\section vlibRead Vector read functions

\subsection vlibread1_2 Level 1 and 2

 - Vect_read_next_line()

\subsection vlibRead2 Level 2 only

 - Vect_area_alive()

 - Vect_isle_alive()

 - Vect_line_alive()

 - Vect_node_alive()

 - Vect_read_line()


\section vlibRemoveAreas Vector remove areas functions

 - Vect_remove_small_areas()


\section vlibRemoveDuplicates Vector remove duplicates functions

 - Vect_line_check_duplicate()

 - Vect_remove_duplicates()


\section vlibRewind Vector rewind functions

 - Vect_rewind()


\section vlibSelect Vector select functions

 - Vect_select_areas_by_box()

 - Vect_select_areas_by_polygon()

 - Vect_select_isles_by_box()

 - Vect_select_lines_by_box()

 - Vect_select_lines_by_polygon()

 - Vect_select_nodes_by_box()


\section vlibSindex Vector spatial index functions

 - Vect_spatial_index_add_item()

 - Vect_spatial_index_del_item()

 - Vect_spatial_index_destroy()

 - Vect_spatial_index_init()

 - Vect_spatial_index_select()


\section vlibSnap Vector snap functions

 - Vect_snap_lines()

 - Vect_snap_lines_list()


\section vlibTin Vector TIN functions

 - Vect_tin_get_z()


\section vlibType Vector type option functions

 - Vect_option_to_types()


\section vlibDelete Vector delete functions

\subsection vlibDelete2 Level 2 only

 - Vect_delete_line()

\section vlibWrite Vector write functions

\subsection vlibWrite1_2 Level 1 and 2

 - Vect_write_line()

\subsection vlibWrite2 Level 2 only

 - Vect_rewrite_line()

\subsection vlibAsciiFn Vector ASCII functions

 - Vect_read_ascii()
 
 - Vect_read_ascii_head()

 - Vect_write_ascii()
 
 - Vect_write_ascii_head()

\subsection vlibSFAFn Vector Simple Feature Access API

Functions from GRASS Simple Feature API (in progress, incomplete).

 - Vect_sfa_get_line_type()

 - Vect_sfa_check_line_type()

 - Vect_sfa_line_dimension()

 - Vect_sfa_line_geometry_type()

 - Vect_sfa_line_astext()

 - Vect_sfa_is_line_simple()

 - Vect_sfa_is_line_closed()

\section vlibGeosFn Vector GEOS functions

Note: The functions are available only if GRASS is compiled with
<tt>--with-geos</tt> switch.

 - Vect_read_line_geos()

 - Vect_read_area_geos()

 - Vect_line_to_geos()

 - Vect_get_area_points_geos()

 - Vect_get_isle_points_geos()


\section vlibAuthors Authors

- Radim Blazek (vector architecture) <radim.blazek gmail.com>

- Roberto Micarelli (DGLib) <mi.ro iol.it>

Updates for GRASS 7:

- Markus Metz (file-based spatial index, vector topology)

- Martin Landa (GEOS support, direct OGR read access) <landa.martin gmail.com>

\section vlibReferences References

Text based on: R. Blazek, M. Neteler, and R. Micarelli. The new GRASS 5.1
 vector architecture. In Open source GIS - GRASS users conference 2002,
 Trento, Italy, 11-13 September 2002. University of Trento, Italy, 2002.
 <a href="http://www.ing.unitn.it/~grass/conferences/GRASS2002/proceedings/proceedings/pdfs/Blazek_Radim.pdf">http://www.ing.unitn.it/~grass/conferences/GRASS2002/proceedings/proceedings/pdfs/Blazek_Radim.pdf</a>
 
\section vlibSeealso See Also

 - \ref dglib
 
 - \ref dbmilib
 
 - \ref veditlib
*/