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== '''Introduction''' ==
Welcome to the wonderful world of the ''Geo Data and Model Software (GeoDMS)''. This is an opensource GIS modelling tool which can be used to make fast calculations in a controlled, transparent and reproducable way on (very) large (geographical) datasets. The software is contiuniously in development and is, for example, being used by The Netherlands Environmental Assesment Agency, the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and multiple Dutch municipalities.

== '''Features ''' ==
GeoDMS is especially suitable for applications with one of more of the following charactistics:
* doing analyses with large geographical datasets, such as large grids, building registers, or road networks;
* combining multiple calculation steps to reach a certain result;
* parameterize calculation schemes to perform scenario analyses and compare those results;
* Discrete allocation under capacity restrictions, [[accessibility]] and network assignments
* being able to reproduce and understand what you calculated last week, and transfer your methodology to your successor.

GeoDMS is less suitable for:
* generating a simple thematic map fast. QGIS or ArcGIS are more suitable for this purpose;
* managing data; a database of version management systems are more useful for this.

== '''GUI and scripts''' ==
Working and modelling with GeoDMS consist of two components: the GeoDMS graphical user interface (GUI) and a text editor. The GeoDMS GUI runs a set of text files with the .dms extension. In these scripts all commands to read data, perform analyses and export outputs are specificied. GeoDMS does not allow you to graphically model or manipulate data such as mainstream GIS software such as QGIS and ArcGIS. Everything needs to be scripted in these .dms-scripts.


== '''Outline of this academy'''==
In this section you will find a set of guides on how to learn to work with GeoDMS and use its language. This GeoDMS Academy is structured in way that it enables you to accumulate the knowlegde when you work through it front to back, or you can just dive into certain topics when you are already acquanted with the topic discussed in earlier modules.

==='''Modules''' ===
* [[Module 1: Learning the basic concepts of GeoDMS]]
* Module 2: Working with different data sources
* Module 3: Doing basic analyses with vector data
* Module 4: Working with networks