Research on custom-built generation of GIS application software based on metadata

In order to decrease the workload of code development, and to support the reuse of common functions and customization of personal functions, the paper proposes custom-built generation platform of GIS application software based on metadata. The platform divides the GIS application software into three parts: user interface, business logic and functional model. The three parts are loosely coupled based on metadata. The design of multi-layers loosely coupling indicates the system flexibility. It allows users to customize user interface, function and data to meet their personal demands. The platform locates resources rapidly based on metadata, and then customizes the GIS application software including basic GIS functions, personal user interface and flexible data. For validating the platform, the urban geologic survey information system is generated by the platform as a test. The result shows that the platform achieves the hot-plug of extensional components by modifying metadata and provides good reuse of GIS functions. Further more, it hides the diversity of GIS components. It simplifies the development of GIS application software and improves the efficiency of development.