Working with the GeoTools Library in Java

GeoTools is part of the OSGeo project

OSGeo is the parent project for GDAL, QGIS, GRASS GIS, OpenLayers, and other projects

The GeoTools library is

�an open source (LGPL) Java code library which provides standards compliant methods for the manipulation of geospatial data, for example to implement Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The GeoTools library implements Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) specifications as they are developed. � (from http://www.GeoTools.org/about.html)

In other words, you can create a whole GIS from these tools�impressive!

You can learn how to use GeoTools in a Java program here

Take it slowly�these are advanced installation instructions

GeoTools projects are built with Maven, a build tool that ships with Eclipse

Maven organizes your project so that you only need to download a small part of the GeoTools library for any given project

Although you could do this manually, it�s actually easier to just follow the instructions in the Eclipse Quickstart guide and figure out how to use Maven

You probably already have the Java JDK and at least the Neon version of Eclipse

At the time of this writing, having installed the same materials as you, I was able to begin the Quickstart instructions at Creating a Simple Maven project

You should do the same, and continue through the tutorial until you reach the Alternatives to M2Eclipse section (you don�t need to go further)

At the end of the tutorial, I was able to get the Quickstart project to create the following graphic:

How is GeoTools organized?

This page provides an overview of the GeoTools library

The User Guide provides tutorials as well as information on specific library commands