jts

The JTS Topology Suite is a Java library for creating and manipulating vector geometry.

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Quick Overview

JTS (Java Topology Suite) is an open-source Java library that provides a comprehensive set of geometric operations and spatial data models. It implements a core set of spatial data operations using precise numerical algorithms and is a foundational component for developing geospatial applications.

Pros

Robust and precise geometric algorithms for spatial operations
Extensive support for OGC Simple Features specification
Well-documented and actively maintained
Widely used in various geospatial applications and frameworks

Cons

Limited to 2D geometry operations
Performance can be slower compared to some native spatial libraries
Steep learning curve for beginners in geospatial programming
Large library size may impact application footprint

Code Examples

Creating and manipulating geometries:

GeometryFactory factory = new GeometryFactory();
Point point = factory.createPoint(new Coordinate(1, 1));
LineString line = factory.createLineString(new Coordinate[]{
    new Coordinate(0, 0), new Coordinate(1, 1)
});

Performing spatial operations:

Geometry buffer = point.buffer(10);
boolean intersects = line.intersects(buffer);

Reading and writing WKT (Well-Known Text):

WKTReader reader = new WKTReader();
Geometry geometry = reader.read("POINT (30 10)");

WKTWriter writer = new WKTWriter();
String wkt = writer.write(geometry);

Getting Started

To use JTS in your Java project, add the following dependency to your Maven pom.xml:

<dependency>
    <groupId>org.locationtech.jts</groupId>
    <artifactId>jts-core</artifactId>
    <version>1.19.0</version>
</dependency>

For Gradle, add this to your build.gradle:

implementation 'org.locationtech.jts:jts-core:1.19.0'

Then, you can start using JTS in your Java code:

import org.locationtech.jts.geom.*;

public class JTSExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        GeometryFactory factory = new GeometryFactory();
        Point point = factory.createPoint(new Coordinate(1, 1));
        System.out.println("Created point: " + point);
    }
}

Competitor Comparisons

geotools

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Official GeoTools repository

Pros of GeoTools

Broader scope: Offers a comprehensive suite of geospatial tools beyond geometry operations
Extensive documentation and tutorials available
Supports a wide range of data formats and coordinate reference systems

Cons of GeoTools

Larger codebase and more dependencies, potentially leading to a steeper learning curve
May have slower performance for basic geometry operations due to its broader feature set
More frequent updates and changes, which could require more maintenance in dependent projects

Code Comparison

JTS (Java Topology Suite):

Geometry geometry = reader.read("POINT (1 1)");
Geometry buffer = geometry.buffer(10);

GeoTools:

SimpleFeatureType TYPE = DataUtilities.createType("Location", "geom:Point,name:String");
SimpleFeatureBuilder featureBuilder = new SimpleFeatureBuilder(TYPE);
Point point = geometryFactory.createPoint(new Coordinate(1, 1));
featureBuilder.add(point);
featureBuilder.add("Point1");
SimpleFeature feature = featureBuilder.buildFeature(null);

Summary

JTS focuses on core geometry operations and is lightweight, while GeoTools provides a more comprehensive geospatial toolkit with broader functionality. JTS may be preferable for projects requiring simple geometry manipulations, while GeoTools is better suited for complex geospatial applications with diverse data handling needs.

postgis

1,682

PostGIS spatial database extension to PostgreSQL [mirror]

Pros of PostGIS

Integrated with PostgreSQL, providing powerful spatial database capabilities
Supports a wide range of spatial operations and data types
Offers advanced spatial indexing for improved query performance

Cons of PostGIS

Requires PostgreSQL installation and setup
Steeper learning curve for users unfamiliar with database systems
Limited portability compared to JTS, as it's tied to PostgreSQL

Code Comparison

PostGIS (SQL):

SELECT ST_Distance(
  ST_GeomFromText('POINT(0 0)'),
  ST_GeomFromText('LINESTRING(2 0, 0 2)')
);

JTS (Java):

Geometry point = WKTReader.read("POINT(0 0)");
Geometry line = WKTReader.read("LINESTRING(2 0, 0 2)");
double distance = point.distance(line);

Both libraries provide similar functionality for spatial operations, but PostGIS is used within a database context, while JTS is a Java library that can be integrated into various applications. PostGIS offers more advanced features and optimizations for large-scale spatial data management, while JTS is more flexible and portable for Java-based projects.

geos

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Geometry Engine, Open Source

Pros of GEOS

Written in C++, offering potentially better performance and lower memory usage
Wider language support through bindings (Python, Ruby, PHP, etc.)
More extensive geometry operations and algorithms

Cons of GEOS

Less Java-friendly, requiring JNI for Java integration
Potentially more complex to use and maintain due to C++ nature
Smaller community compared to JTS

Code Comparison

JTS (Java):

Geometry geom = reader.read("POINT (1 1)");
Geometry buffer = geom.buffer(10);

GEOS (C++):

GEOSGeometry* geom = GEOSGeomFromWKT("POINT (1 1)");
GEOSGeometry* buffer = GEOSBuffer(geom, 10, 30);

Both libraries provide similar functionality for creating and manipulating geometric objects. JTS offers a more object-oriented approach, while GEOS uses a C-style API with function calls. The core concepts remain similar, but the syntax and usage patterns differ due to the underlying language differences.

mapshaper

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Tools for editing Shapefile, GeoJSON, TopoJSON and CSV files

Pros of Mapshaper

Web-based interface for easy visualization and editing of geospatial data
Supports a wide range of file formats, including Shapefile, GeoJSON, and TopoJSON
Offers command-line interface for batch processing and automation

Cons of Mapshaper

Limited to 2D geometry operations
Less comprehensive set of geometric algorithms compared to JTS
Primarily focused on simplification and conversion, rather than complex spatial analysis

Code Comparison

Mapshaper (JavaScript):

mapshaper.runCommands('-i input.shp -simplify dp 10% -o output.geojson');

JTS (Java):

Geometry geometry = reader.read(wktString);
Geometry simplified = TopologyPreservingSimplifier.simplify(geometry, tolerance);

Summary

Mapshaper is a user-friendly tool for quick geospatial data processing and visualization, particularly suited for web-based applications. JTS, on the other hand, is a comprehensive Java library for robust geometric operations and spatial analysis. While Mapshaper excels in simplification and format conversion, JTS offers a wider range of geometric algorithms and supports more complex spatial operations. The choice between the two depends on the specific requirements of the project and the preferred development environment.

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README

JTS Topology Suite

The JTS Topology Suite is a Java library for creating and manipulating vector geometry. It also provides a comprehensive set of geometry test cases, and the TestBuilder GUI application for working with and visualizing geometry and JTS functions.

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