Introduction to Computing Applications in Forestry and Natural Resource Management

399 Pages·2017·33.148 MB·English

by  Jingxin Wang

Introduction to
Computing Applications
in Forestry and Natural
Resource Management

Introduction to
Computing Applications
in Forestry and Natural
Resource Management
Jingxin Wang
CRC Press
Taylor & Francis Group
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Wang, Jingxin, 1963-
Title: Introduction to computing applications in forestry and natural
resource management / Jingxin Wang.
Description: Boca Raton : CRC Press, 2017. | Includes bibliographical
references.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017011246 | ISBN 9781138626300 (hardback : alk. paper)
Subjects: LCSH: Forest management--Data processing. | Forest
management--Computer programs | Forest management--Problems, exercises,
etc. | Natural resources--Management--Data processing. | Natural
resources--Management--Problems, exercises, etc.
Classification: LCC SD381.5 .W36 2017 | DDC 634.9/20285--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017011246
Visit the Taylor & Francis Website at
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To my dear wife, Xiaoming Liang, and our dear son, Jerry Wang.

Contents
Preface ..................................................................................................................xvii
Author ....................................................................................................................xix
Section I Foundations
1. Fundamental Computing Concepts ............................................................3
1.1 Computer Operating Systems .............................................................3
1.2 Brief History of Operating Systems ....................................................4
1.3 Types of Operating Systems ................................................................5
1.4 Major Operating System Responsibilities .........................................6
1.4.1 User Interface............................................................................7
1.4.2 Device Management ................................................................7
1.4.3 Time Management ...................................................................7
1.4.4 Memory Management .............................................................7
1.4.5 File Management ......................................................................8
1.5 Computer Resources and File Systems ..............................................8
1.5.1 Computer Resources ...............................................................8
1.5.2 File Systems ..............................................................................8
1.5.2.1 File Attributes or Properties ....................................9
1.5.2.2 File Operations ..........................................................9
1.5.2.3 File Types and Naming ..........................................10
1.5.2.4 Directory Structure .................................................10
Class Exercises ................................................................................................11
References .......................................................................................................11
2. Programming Languages and Software Engineering ............................13
2.1 Programming Languages ...................................................................13
2.2 Object-Oriented Programming .........................................................15
2.2.1 C and C++ ...............................................................................16
2.2.2 Visual Basic .NET ...................................................................16
2.3 Software Engineering .........................................................................17
2.4 Example of Forest Harvesting Simulator Design ...........................20
2.4.1 System Design ........................................................................20
2.4.2 Functional Requirements ......................................................21
2.4.2.1 Specification Document .........................................22
Class Exercises ................................................................................................23
References .......................................................................................................23
vii
viii Contents
Section II Data Manipulation and Analysis
3. Elementary Data Manipulation Using Excel ...........................................27
3.1 Excel Formulas ....................................................................................27
3.1.1 Operators in Formulas ..........................................................28
3.1.2 Entering Formulas .................................................................28
3.1.3 Referencing Cells Outside the Worksheet ..........................29
3.1.4 Relative versus Absolute References ...................................29
3.1.4.1 Relative Reference ..................................................30
3.1.4.2 Absolute Reference ................................................31
3.2 Excel Functions ....................................................................................32
3.2.1 Function Arguments ..............................................................33
3.2.2 Entering Functions .................................................................33
3.3 Major Excel Functions ........................................................................34
3.3.1 Mathematical and Trigonometric Functions ......................35
3.3.1.1 INT ............................................................................35
3.3.1.2 RAND.......................................................................35
3.3.1.3 ROUND ...................................................................36
3.3.1.4 SIN or COS ..............................................................36
3.3.1.5 SQRT.........................................................................36
3.3.1.6 SUM ..........................................................................37
3.3.1.7 SUMIF ......................................................................37
3.3.2 Statistical Functions ...............................................................37
3.3.2.1 AVERAGE, MEDIAN, and MODE ......................37
3.3.2.2 COUNT ....................................................................38
3.3.2.3 COUNTIF ................................................................38
3.3.2.4 MAX and MIN ........................................................38
3.3.2.5 STDEV ......................................................................38
3.3.3 Text Functions .........................................................................39
3.3.3.1 LEFT and RIGHT ....................................................39
3.3.3.2 LEN...........................................................................39
3.3.3.3 MID...........................................................................39
3.3.3.4 REPLACE and SUBSTITUTE ................................39
3.3.3.5 UPPER, LOWER, and PROPER ...........................40
3.3.3.6 FIND .........................................................................40
3.3.4 Logical Functions ...................................................................40
3.3.4.1 IF ...............................................................................40
3.4 Build Your Own Functions ................................................................41
3.5 Charts ....................................................................................................42
3.5.1 Excel Chart Example .............................................................42
3.5.2 Combination Chart ................................................................45
3.5.3 Gantt Chart .............................................................................46
Class Exercises ................................................................................................49
References .......................................................................................................52
Contents ix
4. Statistical Analysis and Mathematical Programming Using Excel .....53
4.1 Data Analysis with Analysis ToolPak ..............................................53
4.1.1 Correlation ..............................................................................53
4.1.2 Regression ...............................................................................54
4.1.3 t-Test .........................................................................................58
4.2 Mathematical Programming in Forest Management .....................62
4.2.1 Linear Programming .............................................................62
4.2.2 Network Analysis ..................................................................63
4.2.3 Multi-Objective Programming .............................................64
4.2.4 Integer Programming ............................................................64
4.2.5 Dynamic Programming.........................................................65
4.3 Linear Programming Formulation ...................................................68
4.4 Solve Mathematical Models in Forest Management Using
Excel Solver ..........................................................................................69
4.4.1 Example of Optimization Problem ......................................69
4.4.2 Activate Excel Solver .............................................................73
4.4.3 Use Excel Solver .....................................................................73
Class Exercises ................................................................................................76
References .......................................................................................................81
5. Visual Basic for Applications in Microsoft Excel ...................................83
5.1 Introduction to VBA ............................................................................83
5.1.1 Visual Basic Editor in Excel ..................................................83
5.1.2 Writing Code in VB Editor ....................................................84
5.1.3 Running Events within Excel ...............................................85
5.2 VBA Fundamentals .............................................................................87
5.2.1 Variables and Data Types ......................................................87
5.2.2 Modules ...................................................................................87
5.2.3 Variable Scope ........................................................................88
5.3 Harvesting Machine Rate Spreadsheet Program ............................88
5.3.1 Machine Rate ..........................................................................88
5.3.2 Example of Machine Rate Program with VBA ..................89
5.3.2.1 Design Interface ......................................................90
5.3.2.2 Write Code ...............................................................91
5.4 VBA User Forms and Controls ..........................................................93
Class Exercises ................................................................................................96
References .......................................................................................................96
Section III Database Management
6. Database Concepts and the Entity-Relationship Model .......................99
6.1 Fundamental Database Concepts .....................................................99
6.1.1 Database Management System ............................................99
6.1.2 Database ..................................................................................99