Algebraic Formalism over Maps

This paper describes features of a language approach for map algebra based on the use of algebraic expressions. To be consistent with formal approaches such as geoalgebra and image algebra, the proposed algebraic expressions are suitable for the usual modeling of layers and to represent neighborhoods and zones. A tight compromise between language and implementation issues based on the theory of automata is proposed as the needed support to define or extend coherently operators and grammar rules. This results in an efficient way of implementing map algebra for raster domains that can simplify its coupling to environmental and dynamic models without going too far from its well-known paradigm.