The final step in manual input of data in GIS involves linking of the spatial and attribute data through identifiers which are common to the records in both the data. The linkage operation provides an ideal chance to verify the quality of both spatial and attribute data. It can also be used to check whether all the links have been properly made or not. Linking of the spatial and attribute data completes the database after which analysis operations are undertaken, resulting in the creation of a map in a form, understandable to a user. The user can either view the map in the screen itself or receive the output on plotters and printers.
Plotters are output devices for making copies of geographical data on paper or film.
All the information are drawn by a series of line-drawing commands given by the software. The plotters are now getting replaced by the printers. Colour printers that can print upto A0 size are now extensively used for obtaining copies of maps. They work with the same principle as the working of a laser printer. But printers and plotters are used to produce only a few copies of the maps.