GRASS database

GRASS database is designed for teamwork.

Data from different projects are stored in a common DATABASE, for example:

grassdata
user has to create this directory (e.g., by mkdir grassdata)

For each project with a given coordinate system, we create a LOCATION (subdirectory of DATABASE):

grassdata/spearfish
this subdirectory is created by GRASS, see Set-up your LOCATION

Each user (team member) working on this project creates his own MAPSET

grassdata/spearfish/maria
this subdirectory is also created by GRASS, see Set-up your MAPSET

There is a special MAPSET called PERMANENT where maps common for the group are stored and protected from overwriting. Team members can read each other's data but they cannot delete or modify data in a MAPSET that they do not own.


DATABASE      /grassdata
   LOCATION        spearfish
      MAPSET            PERMANENT
                        student1
                        student2
   LOCATION        ncarolina-spm   
      MAPSET            PERMANENT
                        student2
                        student3
   LOCATION        ncarolina-spft
      MAPSET            PERMANENT
                        student1
                        student3
                        student5

Each MAPSET has a number of subdirectories that store raster, vector, site and other data. The data in these subdirectories are accessed using GRASS commands.