A Process and Environment for Embedding the R Software into TerraLib

Geographical information systems (GIS) and statistical software can enhance their functionality using each other capabilities. This paper describes an environment for coupling the statistical program R and the GIS library TerraLib. The implementation uses and adapts the package aRT being the key aspect the fact that both applications share a database connection which is used for exchanging information. The GIS can send commands to be executed by R, retrieving the results directly from the database. An environment for both implementation agents, statisticians and programmers, is therefore provided work together using their own skills, and a third agent, the final user, having access to R functions through a friendly interface.