Table of Contents [+/-] MySQL 4.1 introduces spatial extensions
to allow the generation, storage, and analysis of geographic
features. Currently, these features are available for MyISAM
tables only. This chapter covers the following topics: The basis
of these spatial extensions in the OpenGIS geometry model Data
formats for representing spatial data How to use spatial data in
MySQL Use of indexing for spatial data MySQL differences from
the OpenGIS specification The Open Geospatial Consortium
publishes the OpenGIS® Simple Features Specifications For SQL, a
document that proposes several conceptual ways for extending an
SQL RDBMS to support spatial data. This specification is
available from the OGC Web site at
http://www.opengis.org/docs/99-049.pdf. If you have questions or
concerns about the use of the spatial extensions to MySQL, you
can discuss them in the GIS forum:
http://forums.mysql.com/list.php?23.