Translating geographic data in ASCII format to intergraph files with attribute linkages

Developing computational routines to translate geographic data for use in a Geographic Information System (GIS) is a fundamental and necessary function. This thesis presents computation routines that translate geographic information in a generic ASCII format into an Intergraph MicroStation Standard Interchange File Format called a MicroStation 32 design file. The translated data can be used in Micro Station's Modular GIS Environment(MGE) software package. These routines translate point, line, and polygon data into a design file containing graphic elements with attribute linkages. The research for this thesis included using and understanding the Oracle Relation Database Management system, C programming language, Intergraph's MicroStation and Modular GIS Environment software, and MicroStation 32 Standard Interchange File Format structure. The translation routines were developed to solve a data distribution problem for the Federal Highway Administration. The FHWA distributes a wide range of transportation-related geographic databases. The translation of these databases, most notably the National Highway Planning Network, into MicroStation MGE will allow MGE users to analyze and solve many transportation-related issues using a Geographic Information System.