Question 1

How to install GDAL on Ubuntu?

Accepted Answer

On Ubuntu, install GDAL via apt: 'sudo apt-get install gdal-bin'. For Python bindings, use pip: 'pip install GDAL'. Always check the official docs for version compatibility and additional dependencies.

Question 2

GDAL or PostGIS for geospatial data processing?

Accepted Answer

GDAL is a library for reading, writing, and converting geospatial data formats, while PostGIS is a spatial database extension for PostgreSQL. Use GDAL for format translation and processing, and PostGIS for spatial querying and database storage.

Question 3

Best way to convert a GeoTIFF to JPEG with GDAL?

Accepted Answer

Use the gdal_translate command: 'gdal_translate -of JPEG input.tif output.jpg'. Add options like '-co QUALITY=85' for compression control, and ensure spatial references are handled if needed.

Question 4

How to read shapefiles in Python using GDAL?

Accepted Answer

Install the GDAL Python package and use ogr: 'from osgeo import ogr; ds = ogr.Open('file.shp')'. Then, access layers and features through the API, similar to the C++ interface but with Pythonic nuances.

Question 5

GDAL vs. PROJ: what's the difference?

Accepted Answer

GDAL handles geospatial data formats and includes tools for reprojection via PROJ. PROJ is a separate library focused solely on coordinate transformations, often integrated into GDAL for reprojection tasks.

Question 6

How to optimize GDAL for large raster datasets?

Accepted Answer

Use GDAL's VRT format for virtual mosaicking, enable block caching with GDAL_CACHEMAX, and consider Cloud Optimized GeoTIFF (COG) for efficient access. Command-line tools like gdalwarp offer memory management options.

gdal

What is gdal?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions