mapdataframe

MapDataFrame refers to a software construct used in geographic information systems to manage and display map content. It acts as a container for the geographic extent, the coordinate reference system, and a set of map layers that comprise a map visualization. A MapDataFrame maintains properties such as the current extent, scale, and rendering settings, and exposes methods to pan, zoom, and zoom to layer, refresh, or redraw the map. It also handles on-the-fly coordinate transformations and labeling.

Layers can be vector or raster; each layer has data source, field attributes, and symbolization. The data frame handles labeling and scale-based visibility, and supports rendering optimizations for performance with multiple layers. In typical GIS workflows, the MapDataFrame is the primary object on which maps are built and exported, and desktop GIS applications often present a map window or data frame to users, sometimes with several frames in a layout for printing.

It is distinct from a tabular DataFrame used for non-spatial data, though some implementations pair a spatial data frame with a non-spatial table. Implementation specifics vary: in MapInfo Professional, MapDataFrame is a class representing the geographic display area; in other toolkits it may be called MapCanvas, MapView, or DataFrame. Core concerns include coordinate reference systems, projection, extent management, rendering performance with large datasets, and layer symbolization. See also geographic information system, coordinate reference system, map layer, symbolization, projection, rendering.