What is raster analysis?
Raster analysis is the process of using client-side APIs or server-side operations on raster data to solve a geospatial problem. You can use raster operations and functions to perform analysis such as detecting patterns, data classifictaion, deep learning analysis, data summarization, multidimensional analysis and raster data management. The operation you use depends on the type of problem you are trying to solve.
Why use raster analysis?
Raster analysis provides an efficient and powerful set of tools for quantitative analysis, modeling, and visualization of continuous geographic phenomena. It is particularly well-suited for analyzing phenomena like elevation, slope, aspect, chemical concentrations, and other variables that can be represented as a continuous raster surface.
Use raster analysis to:
- Perform operations like overlay analysis, neighborhood operations, and map algebra.
- Process large raster datasets.
- Classify land cover.
- Perform change detection.
- Perform suitability mapping and site selection.
What are the different ways to perform an analysis?
There are two different methods you can use to perform a raster analysis.
- Raster operations: This method of analysis requires a asynchronous server-side request to an REST API endpoint to perform a single raster operation applied to an entire raster dataset. Typically, this results in a new raster dataset.
- Raster functions: This method of analysis allows you to chain together multiple operations in a request without the need of creating intermediate datasets. Raster Functions can also be utilized to perform client-side analysis and on-the-fly visualization using client APIs.
Tutorials
Perform an analysis using raster operations
Create a raster function template
API support
- 1. Access with geoprocessing task
- 2. Access via ArcGIS REST JS