Approaching the study of GIS from the broader context of information technology, this text gives complete, up-to-date coverage of the concepts and techniques pertaining to every stage of the systems development life cycle of GIS and its applications in various areas of spatial problem solving and decision making. The authors, who have over 50 years of professional experience between them, stress a rigorous, but balanced treatment of the concepts and techniques of GIS to provide real-world experience of using and implementing GIS while retaining a strong academic flavor.