WOR (World File)

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Introduction

WOR files are file formats used to store workspaces in MapInfo Professional geographic information system (GIS) software, and their extension is .wor. They do not store geographic data directly, but record map hierarchy, style setting information, and data source paths, which are used to quickly reproduce map layouts and analysis views in specific GIS projects.

File Structure

Description of the working environment: including the size, position and display properties of the map window (such as background color, legend, etc.).
Data source path: records the path of all data files loaded in the GIS project (such as TAB files, SHP files, Raster data, etc.).
Layer information: defines the style, rendering rules, display order and symbol settings of each layer.
Coordinate system: specifies the coordinate system used by the map project (such as WGS84 or projection coordinate system).

Pros

1. Lightweight: WOR files are small in size and only record configuration information. They are stored separately from GIS data, making them easy to share and transfer.

2. Convenient workflow: Supports quick recovery of project environments without the need to reload data or adjust layer properties.

3. High flexibility: File content can be manually modified through MapBasic or text editors to adapt to dynamic needs.

4. Support for complex configuration: WOR files can record complex GIS project settings, including multiple layers, multiple coordinate systems, and multiple window layouts.

Cons

1. Dependence on external data: WOR files do not store actual geographic data. If the associated external files are missing, they will not work properly.

2. File path problem: WOR files store absolute paths. When used across devices, you may need to manually adjust the path information.

3. Limited compatibility: Mainly applicable to MapInfo software, other GIS software has less support for WOR files.

Application Scenario

WOR files are widely used in the management and collaboration of GIS projects. In urban planning and infrastructure construction, engineers can use WOR files to quickly load and display multi-layer information such as city maps, transportation networks, and pipeline layouts to achieve collaborative design. In environmental protection and resource monitoring, researchers can use WOR files to save analysis results, such as land cover classification maps or pollution diffusion models, for subsequent reuse and sharing.