Here it is in a nutshell: ESRI is essentially rebuilding all of its core software (ArcInfo, ArcView, and MapObjects) around brand new technology called ArcObjects. That buzzword, Objects, should sound familiar. MapObjects was our introduction to GIS-for-programmers, as opposed to ArcInfo and ArcView, GIS-for-end-users. ArcObjects replaces MapObjects technology, and is used by ESRI to build the new components of ArcInfo 8.
When you buy or upgrade to ArcInfo 8, you will get all of the ArcObjects, as well as the three end-user applications that ESRI has written with ArcObjects: ArcMap, ArcCatalog, and ArcToolbox. So you will be able to use these three applications out of the box, customize them with your choice of standard languages, or build an entirely new GIS package with ArcObjects. Your choice.
You will recognize ArcMap - it looks very similar to ArcView, only guess what? You can map in it and you can edit in it - in the same environment! And not only edit coverages, but shapefiles and SDE data directly as well. ArcCatalog, looking much like the Windows Explorer, is (finally) ESRI’s data cataloging and metadata tool, fully integrated with ArcMap. ArcCatalog also allows you to create GeoDatabases, which are a way to treat geographic data not merely as points, lines, and polygons which you know are telephone wires, manhole covers, or spotted owl nests, but that the software also knows are wires, covers, and nests. And then the software can be taught never to connect a telephone wire to a power line, never to place a manhole cover in the middle of a house, and always to place two nests at least "this" far from each other. ArcToolbox is a wizard- and form-driven geoprocessing engine to be used for GIS analysis.
What about ArcView 4? My understanding is that it will be a "lighter" version of ArcMap. And that MapObjects 3 will be a "lighter" version of ArcObjects. So everything will be built on the same software, which means that a user of ArcView will now be able to switch over to ArcInfo?s ArcMap and immediately know what to do. And it means that an ArcInfo programmer will be able to program MapObjects and ArcView without having to relearn it. Now doesn’t that sound like a relief? Oh, by the way, that kid you just hired straight out of college who knows Visual Basic, C++, Delphi, or PowerBuilder, will be able to start programming for you without having first to learn AML or Avenue. And an ArcInfo programmer who gets laid off will be able to find a programming job anywhere.
And did I mention that ArcInfo 8 comes with a free version of Personal SDE? This is SDE implemented inside MS Access, through what is called the JET 4 Engine. You will need to install it if you want to make use of the new GeoDatabase tools. The cool thing is, you’ll be able to start migrating applications, or write them in the first place, to be SDE compliant. Then, if and when you migrate to “real” SDE, it will be a snap.
So that’s basically what there is. Now, what does it mean?
Q: Will I have to learn all new ArcInfo when I install version 8?
A: Only if you want to. Inside version 8 is also the familiar ArcInfo 7.2.1 (black screen, Arc: prompt, command line interface, ArcTools - gotta love it!). Don’t want the new tools? Don’t use them.
Q: Does AML go away?
A: It does in ArcObjects (which are COM objects that can be used with Visual Basic, C++, etc.). But if you continue to use ArcInfo 7.2.1 (or whatever ESRI wants to call it), or ODE, AML remains.
Q: Will I need anything special to use ArcInfo 8?
A: If you want to program the ArcObjects, you might wish to spring for a copy of Visual Basic, but ArcInfo 8 will come with Visual Basic for Applications, or VBA, bundled. This is the freebie version of VB that so many vendors are now including with their software as their ma cro language.
I believe you will need to upgrade to Service Pack 4 of Windows NT, if you haven’t already done so. And if you want to use the new GeoDatabase tools, you will have to install the free Personal SDE that comes with ArcInfo 8.
Q: When will ArcView 4 come out?
A: Later. 2000.
Q: Will Avenue go away?
A: In ArcView 4, yes. But, ESRI says they will continue to support and develop the ArcView 3 architecture for “years to come.” So we might see a version 3.3 and a version 4 out at the same time. Version 4 will be built from ArcObjects, and therefore support VB, etc. Version 3.x will support Avenue.
Q: Will the objects in MapObjects 1 and 2 be the same as in MapObjects 3?
A: No. They will be the new ArcObjects, which are different. But, ESRI says that they will continue to support and develop the MapObjects 2 architecture for “years to come.” In other words, the same story as with ArcView 3 and ARCINFO 7.
Q: Should I learn VB, Delphi, or something like it?
A: There’s an understatement!
Q: Should I still be developing applications in AML, Avenue, or MO 1 or 2?
A: That’s the Million Dollar Question! I would say yes, if it builds on an existing application or you can realize a quick return on the investment in case it’s new. Otherwise, in most cases probably not.
Q: Is all of this going to change again next year?
A: I don’t think so. Since ESRI is now falling in line with the rest of the software industry, changes should follow the rest of the industry, not lag 3-5 years behind. So unless the rest of the industry hits a brick wall suddenly, things should settle down to a somewhat predictable groove. This is not to say that changes and innovation will slow down, but you’d be able to predict it better just by reading PC World or Information Week.
On-the-scene coverage of the ESRI User Conference