Creating databases on a handheld field computer (PDA): Part 1

We all use databases daily. At a minimum, you are probably being added to a database somewhere everytime you get on the web. But I digress. In the field, we often want to store our information in databases. That is, we might have many features we want to record and each feature might have several variables. For instance, I recently helped some students who were monitoring bubbling mud springs near a volcano. At each spring, they recorded the latitude and longitude, water temperature, air temperature, pH, and CO2 levels. In database terms, each location would be a ‘record’ and the variables are ‘attributes’.

Many folks simply input their field data into Mobile Excel and then download it when they get back to the office. That is the easy way and you can save the file as a text file (.txt) or comma-separated file (.csv), if you wish. But what if you wanted some of the fields automated? Or you want to use drop-down lists to avoid ambiguity from spelling errors? In that case, you need a database program for ease of data entry. The problem is, they don’t exist “out of the box” for Pocket PC.

The bottom line is that you have to either create your own database or purchase someone else’s pre-figured field collection database. For the latter, many options exist (some are free) and many are based out of ESRI’s ArcPad GIS data collection software. Personally, I use and highly recommend SOLO Field (from Tripod Data Systems) because of its ease of use. There are lots more options out there and let me know which one you use.

To create your own database in Windows Mobile or Win.CE or Palm OS, you need to purchase software that allows you to easily create entry sheets for your handheld computer. The software will typically run on a PC and output the files directly to a PDA via a sync program. The two components are a table where the data is stored and a form for entering or manipulating the data. Add various command options and you can create some complex data forms. Most software will allow you to actively sync to your PC when linked, storing the data in Microsoft Access (on the PC) or some other database format.

These two images are screen shots of a simple program I wrote to store waypoints with a GPS connected to a Recon handheld. The top image shows the form for imputing the data and the bottom image shows part of the underlying table.

 

I use Visual CE from Syware for making databases and have been very happy with it. Most of the folks I work with, however, use PenDragon. Again, if you know of others, please let me know. In the next blog, I will show you an example I have created using Visual CE.

Explore posts in the same categories: GIS, software

Tags: database, GIS, PenDragon, software, Visual CE

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