ARCHIVED: 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 (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.

ArcGIS Desktop is the most recent GIS software release from Esri and is based on Microsoft's .NET architecture. ArcGIS Desktop has three licensing or product levels: ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo. ArcView is the lowest product level with limited editing features. ArcInfo is the highest product level with all tools and extensions included. For more, see ARCHIVED: About ArcGIS for Desktop license levels

To purchase ArcGIS software, see ArcGIS availability at IU

ArcView GIS 3.3 is not available in the IU Bloomington Student Technology Centers (STCs); the driver for this application is incompatible 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 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.