What is ArcView?

ArcView is a generic name for geographic information systems (GIS) software provided by ESRI. Some confuse ArcView GIS 3.x (older version) with ArcGIS Desktop 9.x (new version), but these are unique software applications with very different interfaces, geoprocessing frameworks, and usability features.

ArcView GIS is based on ActiveX architecture and provides data visualization, query, analysis, and integration capabilities, along with the ability to create and edit geographic data. While ArcView GIS is still in use, it is considered legacy software; UITS does not recommend it. Most students, faculty, and staff at Indiana University use ArcGIS Desktop 9.x.

ArcGIS Desktop 9.x is the most recent GIS software release from ESRI and is based on Microsoft's .NET architecture. ArcGIS Desktop has three licensing levels (ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo) that use the same applications (ArcMap and ArcCatalog), but their functionality differs. To learn more about ArcGIS product levels, see What are ArcGIS product levels and how might they affect my software usage?

To purchase ArcGIS software, see At IU, how do I purchase ESRI software?

As of September 2007, ArcView GIS 3.3 is no longer available in the Bloomington Student Technology Centers (STCs). The driver for this application is no longer compatible with the newer video cards in the STCs. While it will continue to support ArcView GIS 3.x, UITS strongly encourages all users to upgrade to ArcGIS 9.x in order to take advantage of key enhancements and new functionality. ESRI recommends the book, Avenue Wraps, to help programmers migrate existing Avenue-based applications to the new ArcGIS environment. The book gives guidelines, along with numerous examples, for converting ArcView 3.x Avenue code into Microsoft's Visual Basic and ArcObjects code.

Also see:

• At IU, how can I obtain GIS and remote sensing software?
• At IU, where can I get help with GIS or remote sensing?
• At IU, how do I purchase ESRI software?
• What is ArcGIS Desktop?