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Data Types

Geometry

Geometric and spatial data types for location-based applications.

Geometry classes provide support for spatial and geographic data using GeoJSON-compatible structures. These types are essential for location-based applications and geospatial queries.

Import:

import { 
    GeometryPoint,
    GeometryLine,
    GeometryPolygon,
    GeometryMultiPoint,
    GeometryMultiLine,
    GeometryMultiPolygon,
    GeometryCollection
} from 'surrealdb';

Source: value/geometry.ts

Geometry Types

GeometryPoint

A single point in 2D space (longitude, latitude).

Constructor

new GeometryPoint([longitude, latitude])
new GeometryPoint(point) // Clone existing

Properties

point

The underlying point data as a [longitude, latitude] tuple.

Type: [number, number]

coordinates

GeoJSON-compatible coordinates for this point. Equivalent to point.

Type: [number, number]

Example

// Create a point (San Francisco)
const point = new GeometryPoint([-122.4194, 37.7749]);

console.log(point.point);       // [-122.4194, 37.7749]
console.log(point.coordinates); // [-122.4194, 37.7749]

// Store location
await db.create(new Table('locations')).content({
    name: 'Office',
    position: point
});

GeometryLine

A line defined by two or more points.

Constructor

new GeometryLine([point1, point2, ...points])
new GeometryLine(line) // Clone existing

Properties

line

The underlying array of GeometryPoint objects that make up this line.

Type: GeometryPoint[]

coordinates

GeoJSON-compatible coordinates for this line.

Type: [number, number][]

Methods

.close()

Closes the line by appending the first point to the end, if it is not already closed. Useful when constructing polygon boundaries.

const line = new GeometryLine([
    new GeometryPoint([0, 0]),
    new GeometryPoint([10, 0]),
    new GeometryPoint([10, 10])
]);

line.close();
// Line now ends with GeometryPoint([0, 0])

Example

// Create a line (path between two cities)
const line = new GeometryLine([
    new GeometryPoint([-122.4194, 37.7749]), // San Francisco
    new GeometryPoint([-118.2437, 34.0522])  // Los Angeles
]);

console.log(line.line);        // [GeometryPoint, GeometryPoint]
console.log(line.coordinates); // [[-122.4194, 37.7749], [-118.2437, 34.0522]]

// Multi-segment line
const route = new GeometryLine([
    new GeometryPoint([0, 0]),
    new GeometryPoint([1, 1]),
    new GeometryPoint([2, 1]),
    new GeometryPoint([3, 2])
]);

GeometryPolygon

A polygon defined by one or more lines (outer boundary and optional holes).

Constructor

new GeometryPolygon([outerBoundary, ...holes])
new GeometryPolygon(polygon) // Clone existing

Properties

polygon

The underlying array of GeometryLine objects (outer boundary and optional holes).

Type: GeometryLine[]

coordinates

GeoJSON-compatible coordinates for this polygon.

Type: [number, number][][]

Example

// Create a triangle
const triangle = new GeometryPolygon([
    new GeometryLine([
        new GeometryPoint([0, 0]),
        new GeometryPoint([4, 0]),
        new GeometryPoint([2, 3]),
        new GeometryPoint([0, 0]) // Close the polygon
    ])
]);

console.log(triangle.polygon); // [GeometryLine]

// Polygon with hole (donut shape)
const donut = new GeometryPolygon([
    // Outer boundary
    new GeometryLine([
        new GeometryPoint([0, 0]),
        new GeometryPoint([10, 0]),
        new GeometryPoint([10, 10]),
        new GeometryPoint([0, 10]),
        new GeometryPoint([0, 0])
    ]),
    // Inner hole
    new GeometryLine([
        new GeometryPoint([2, 2]),
        new GeometryPoint([8, 2]),
        new GeometryPoint([8, 8]),
        new GeometryPoint([2, 8]),
        new GeometryPoint([2, 2])
    ])
]);

GeometryMultiPoint

A collection of points.

Constructor

new GeometryMultiPoint([point1, point2, ...points])
new GeometryMultiPoint(multiPoint) // Clone existing

Properties

points

The underlying array of GeometryPoint objects.

Type: GeometryPoint[]

coordinates

GeoJSON-compatible coordinates for this multi-point.

Type: [number, number][]

Example

// Multiple store locations
const stores = new GeometryMultiPoint([
    new GeometryPoint([-122.4194, 37.7749]), // SF
    new GeometryPoint([-118.2437, 34.0522]), // LA
    new GeometryPoint([-87.6298, 41.8781])   // Chicago
]);

console.log(stores.points); // [GeometryPoint, GeometryPoint, GeometryPoint]

GeometryMultiLine

A collection of lines.

Constructor

new GeometryMultiLine([line1, line2, ...lines])
new GeometryMultiLine(multiLine) // Clone existing

Properties

lines

The underlying array of GeometryLine objects.

Type: GeometryLine[]

coordinates

GeoJSON-compatible coordinates for this multi-line.

Type: [number, number][][]

Example

// Multiple delivery routes
const routes = new GeometryMultiLine([
    new GeometryLine([
        new GeometryPoint([0, 0]),
        new GeometryPoint([1, 1])
    ]),
    new GeometryLine([
        new GeometryPoint([2, 2]),
        new GeometryPoint([3, 3])
    ])
]);

console.log(routes.lines); // [GeometryLine, GeometryLine]

GeometryMultiPolygon

A collection of polygons.

Constructor

new GeometryMultiPolygon([polygon1, polygon2, ...polygons])
new GeometryMultiPolygon(multiPolygon) // Clone existing

Properties

polygons

The underlying array of GeometryPolygon objects.

Type: GeometryPolygon[]

coordinates

GeoJSON-compatible coordinates for this multi-polygon.

Type: [number, number][][][]

Example

// Multiple service areas
const areas = new GeometryMultiPolygon([
    new GeometryPolygon([/* first area */]),
    new GeometryPolygon([/* second area */])
]);

console.log(areas.polygons); // [GeometryPolygon, GeometryPolygon]

GeometryCollection

A heterogeneous collection of geometry types.

Constructor

new GeometryCollection([geometry1, geometry2, ...geometries])
new GeometryCollection(collection) // Clone existing

Properties

collection

The underlying array of geometry objects in this collection.

Type: Geometry[]

geometries

Getter that returns the array of geometry objects. Equivalent to collection.

Type: Geometry[]

coordinates

GeoJSON-compatible coordinates for this collection.

Type: unknown[]

Example

// Mixed geometry types
const collection = new GeometryCollection([
    new GeometryPoint([0, 0]),
    new GeometryLine([
        new GeometryPoint([1, 1]),
        new GeometryPoint([2, 2])
    ]),
    new GeometryPolygon([/* polygon data */])
]);

console.log(collection.collection);  // [GeometryPoint, GeometryLine, GeometryPolygon]
console.log(collection.geometries);  // [GeometryPoint, GeometryLine, GeometryPolygon]

Common Methods

All geometry types share these methods:

.is(type)

Type guard that checks if a geometry matches a specific type. Each geometry subclass implements this method.

is(type: "Point"): this is GeometryPoint
is(type: "LineString"): this is GeometryLine
is(type: "Polygon"): this is GeometryPolygon
is(type: "MultiPoint"): this is GeometryMultiPoint
is(type: "MultiLineString"): this is GeometryMultiLine
is(type: "MultiPolygon"): this is GeometryMultiPolygon
is(type: "GeometryCollection"): this is GeometryCollection
function describeGeometry(geo: Geometry) {
    if (geo.is("Point")) {
        console.log('Point at', geo.point);
    } else if (geo.is("Polygon")) {
        console.log('Polygon with', geo.polygon.length, 'rings');
    }
}

.toJSON()

Convert to GeoJSON format.

const point = new GeometryPoint([-122.4194, 37.7749]);
console.log(point.toJSON());
// { type: "Point", coordinates: [-122.4194, 37.7749] }

.toString()

Convert to JSON string.

const point = new GeometryPoint([-122.4194, 37.7749]);
console.log(point.toString());
// '{"type":"Point","coordinates":[-122.4194,37.7749]}'

.clone()

Create a deep copy.

const original = new GeometryPoint([0, 0]);
const copy = original.clone();

.equals(other)

Check if two geometries are equal.

const a = new GeometryPoint([0, 0]);
const b = new GeometryPoint([0, 0]);
console.log(a.equals(b)); // true

Complete Examples

Store Locations

import { Surreal, GeometryPoint, Table } from 'surrealdb';

const db = new Surreal();
await db.connect('ws://localhost:8000');

// Store locations with coordinates
const locations = [
    {
        name: 'Main Office',
        address: '123 Market St, San Francisco, CA',
        position: new GeometryPoint([-122.4194, 37.7749])
    },
    {
        name: 'LA Branch',
        address: '456 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA',
        position: new GeometryPoint([-118.2437, 34.0522])
    }
];

for (const location of locations) {
    await db.create(new Table('locations')).content(location);
}

Delivery Routes

// Define delivery route
const route = new GeometryLine([
    new GeometryPoint([-122.4194, 37.7749]), // Start: SF
    new GeometryPoint([-122.2711, 37.8044]), // Stop 1: Oakland
    new GeometryPoint([-122.0838, 37.3861]), // Stop 2: Mountain View
    new GeometryPoint([-121.8863, 37.3382])  // End: San Jose
]);

await db.create(new Table('routes')).content({
    driver: new RecordId('drivers', 'john'),
    route: route,
    estimated_time: new Duration('2h30m'),
    created_at: DateTime.now()
});

Service Areas

// Define service coverage area (polygon)
const serviceArea = new GeometryPolygon([
    new GeometryLine([
        new GeometryPoint([-122.5, 37.7]),
        new GeometryPoint([-122.3, 37.7]),
        new GeometryPoint([-122.3, 37.8]),
        new GeometryPoint([-122.5, 37.8]),
        new GeometryPoint([-122.5, 37.7]) // Close the polygon
    ])
]);

await db.create(new Table('service_areas')).content({
    name: 'SF Downtown',
    area: serviceArea,
    active: true
});

Geospatial Queries

// Find locations near a point
const centerPoint = new GeometryPoint([-122.4194, 37.7749]);

const nearbyLocations = await db.query(`
    SELECT * FROM locations 
    WHERE geo::distance(position, $center) < 5000
    ORDER BY geo::distance(position, $center)
`, {
    center: centerPoint
}).collect();

console.log('Nearby locations:', nearbyLocations);

Polygon Containment

// Check if a point is within a polygon
const region = new GeometryPolygon([
    new GeometryLine([
        new GeometryPoint([0, 0]),
        new GeometryPoint([10, 0]),
        new GeometryPoint([10, 10]),
        new GeometryPoint([0, 10]),
        new GeometryPoint([0, 0])
    ])
]);

const testPoint = new GeometryPoint([5, 5]);

const result = await db.query(`
    RETURN geo::area::contains($region, $point)
`, {
    region,
    point: testPoint
}).collect();

console.log('Point is inside:', result[0]);

Multiple Locations (MultiPoint)

// Store multiple branch locations
const branches = new GeometryMultiPoint([
    new GeometryPoint([-122.4194, 37.7749]), // SF
    new GeometryPoint([-118.2437, 34.0522]), // LA
    new GeometryPoint([-87.6298, 41.8781]),  // Chicago
    new GeometryPoint([-74.0060, 40.7128])   // NYC
]);

await db.create(new Table('companies')).content({
    name: 'Tech Corp',
    headquarters: new GeometryPoint([-122.4194, 37.7749]),
    all_branches: branches,
    founded: new DateTime('2020-01-01')
});

Distance Calculations

// Calculate distance between two points
const pointA = new GeometryPoint([-122.4194, 37.7749]); // SF
const pointB = new GeometryPoint([-118.2437, 34.0522]); // LA

const distance = await db.query(`
    RETURN geo::distance($a, $b)
`, {
    a: pointA,
    b: pointB
}).collect();

console.log('Distance in meters:', distance[0]);

GeoJSON Export

// Export as GeoJSON for mapping libraries
const point = new GeometryPoint([-122.4194, 37.7749]);
const geoJson = point.toJSON();

// Use with mapping libraries (Leaflet, Mapbox, etc.)
/*
{
    type: "Point",
    coordinates: [-122.4194, 37.7749]
}
*/

Complex Region with Holes

// Define a park with a lake (hole)
const park = new GeometryPolygon([
    // Outer boundary (park border)
    new GeometryLine([
        new GeometryPoint([0, 0]),
        new GeometryPoint([100, 0]),
        new GeometryPoint([100, 100]),
        new GeometryPoint([0, 100]),
        new GeometryPoint([0, 0])
    ]),
    // Inner hole (lake)
    new GeometryLine([
        new GeometryPoint([40, 40]),
        new GeometryPoint([60, 40]),
        new GeometryPoint([60, 60]),
        new GeometryPoint([40, 60]),
        new GeometryPoint([40, 40])
    ])
]);

await db.create(new Table('parks')).content({
    name: 'Central Park',
    boundary: park,
    has_lake: true
});

GeoJSON Compatibility

All geometry types are compatible with GeoJSON format:

const point = new GeometryPoint([-122.4194, 37.7749]);
const geoJson = point.toJSON();

// GeoJSON structure
console.log(geoJson);
/*
{
    type: "Point",
    coordinates: [-122.4194, 37.7749]
}
*/

// Use with any GeoJSON-compatible library

Best Practices

1. Use Correct Coordinate Order

// Good: [longitude, latitude] (GeoJSON standard)
const point = new GeometryPoint([-122.4194, 37.7749]);

// Avoid: [latitude, longitude] (Google Maps format)
const wrong = new GeometryPoint([37.7749, -122.4194]);

2. Close Polygons Properly

// Good: First and last points are the same
const polygon = new GeometryPolygon([
    new GeometryLine([
        new GeometryPoint([0, 0]),
        new GeometryPoint([10, 0]),
        new GeometryPoint([10, 10]),
        new GeometryPoint([0, 10]),
        new GeometryPoint([0, 0]) // Closes the polygon
    ])
]);

// The library automatically closes polygons if needed

3. Use Appropriate Geometry Type

// Good: Single location
const office = new GeometryPoint([-122.4194, 37.7749]);

// Good: Multiple locations
const branches = new GeometryMultiPoint([point1, point2, point3]);

// Avoid: Using MultiPoint for single location
const wrong = new GeometryMultiPoint([point1]);

4. Validate Coordinates

// Good: Valid coordinates
const valid = new GeometryPoint([-122.4194, 37.7749]);

// Avoid: Invalid coordinates (out of range)
// Longitude: -180 to 180, Latitude: -90 to 90
const invalid = new GeometryPoint([200, 100]); // Will create but may cause issues

Use Cases

  • Location-based Services - Store and query business locations

  • Delivery Systems - Define delivery routes and service areas

  • Real Estate - Property boundaries and service zones

  • Transportation - Transit routes and coverage areas

  • Environmental - Conservation areas, wildlife habitats

  • Urban Planning - City zones, districts, infrastructure

See Also

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