E02
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Introduction
E02 file is part of the ArcInfo export file (E00 format) developed by ESRI (Environmental Systems Research Institute) and is the second file to split the exported data. In the E00 format, large GIS data can be split into multiple files for storage. The first file is named E00, the second file is named E01, the third file is named E02, and so on. The E02 file itself does not contain complete GIS data and must be used in conjunction with the E00 and E01 files to form a complete data set. This format is used to circumvent file size limitations when transferring or storing data.
File Structure
As part of the E00 format, the E02 file is stored in ASCII text format. The E02 file cannot be used as GIS data alone and must be combined with the E00 and E01 files to form a complete coverage data (ArcInfo Coverage).
The main data elements of the E00 format include:
- **ARC (arc segment data): **represents linear data such as roads and rivers
- PAL (polygon data): represents regional information such as administrative divisions and land use zoning
- LAB (label point): point data that stores the attribute information of polygons
- TIC (control point): represents the coordinate reference point (geographic location reference)
- NOD (node data): stores the intersection information of line segments
- CNT (polygon center point)
- GRD (grid data): represents raster format information such as elevation data
The E02 file only stores part of this data and must be combined with the E00 and E01 files to be used as a complete dataset.
Pros
**1. Manage large data: **The E00 format allows data to be split into multiple files (E00, E01, E02…), so that large-scale GIS data can be stored and transmitted efficiently.
2. High readability: Using ASCII text format, you can directly view and edit part of the data, which is convenient for error correction and data management.
**3. Highly compatible with ESRI ArcInfo environment: **It is compatible with ArcInfo and earlier versions of ArcGIS, and is suitable for data exchange in old systems.
**4. Data splitting and compression to improve transmission efficiency: **Compared with a single large file, splitting into multiple small files helps reduce the risk of data corruption during network transmission.
Cons
1. E02 files cannot be used alone: E02 files are only part of the E00 format and must be used together with E00 and E01 files to work, so special attention should be paid when managing them.
2. It is an old format and is no longer recommended: ESRI recommends using more efficient modern data formats such as Shapefile (SHP) or Geodatabase (GDB), and new versions of GIS software are reducing support for E00/E02 formats.
3. Data processing speed is slow: Due to the use of ASCII text format, the processing speed is slower than the binary format, especially when processing segmented datasets containing E02 files, additional merging steps are required, which may lead to longer time.
**4. Limited support outside of ESRI products: **Some open source GIS software (such as QGIS) can support the E00 format, but may not support automatic merging of segmented files such as E02. Therefore, data usually needs to be converted to other formats before it can be used.
Application Scenario
E02 files are mainly used in ESRI’s ArcGIS environment or older versions of ArcInfo workstations, and are suitable for storing and transmitting large-scale GIS data. Especially when the amount of data is too large, the file can be split for easy transmission and data exchange between different GIS systems. In addition, government agencies and research institutions may also use this format when archiving large amounts of GIS data because the ASCII text format is suitable for long-term storage. In addition, when converting old GIS data to new formats (such as Shapefile or Geodatabase), the E00 format is often used as an intermediate conversion format, especially when migrating old ArcInfo coverage data to a modern GIS environment.