What does a query do in the context of GIS?

In the context of GIS, a query is fundamental as it allows users to request specific data from a database based on certain criteria. This is crucial for filtering and retrieving information that meets selected parameters, enabling users to analyze, view, or manipulate only the relevant portions of the data they need. For example, if a GIS analyst wants to find all properties within a certain zoning area or all the lakes larger than a specified surface area, they would use a query to extract precisely that information.

The ability to specify criteria means that users can refine their datasets for more focused analysis, such as looking for all crime incidents reported in a particular neighborhood over the past year or identifying areas that have specific environmental concerns. Queries can also incorporate multiple conditions and logic to better pinpoint the desired data.

Contextually, while visualizing data, transforming data into different formats, and merging datasets can all be important tasks in GIS, they do not reflect the primary function of a query, which is specifically about retrieving and filtering data. Thus, the focus of a query on asking for specific data highlights its pivotal role in GIS operations and decision-making processes.