# GRASS

> free and open-source geospatial processing engine

**Wikidata**: [Q1337282](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1337282)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GRASS_GIS)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/grass

## Summary
GRASS (Geographic Resources Analysis Support System) is a free and open-source geospatial processing engine used for geographic information systems (GIS), spatial analysis, scientific modeling, and network analysis. It is distributed under the GNU General Public License and runs on Linux, Microsoft Windows, and Mac OS operating systems.

## Key Facts
- GRASS was initially developed in 1983.
- It is classified as free software, allowing users to run, study, change, and distribute it freely.
- GRASS is developed by the Open Source Geospatial Foundation.
- The software is available in multiple versions, with notable releases including 7.0.1 (2015), 7.2.2 (2017), and 7.6.1 (2019).
- GRASS supports programming languages such as Python and C, with a GUI framework based on wxPython.
- It is part of collections like the Social Sciences and Humanities Open Marketplace and the Text Analysis Portal for Research.
- GRASS is available on various package managers, including Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, and Gentoo.

## FAQs
### Q: What is GRASS used for?
A: GRASS is used for geographic information systems (GIS), spatial analysis, scientific modeling, and network analysis. It is a versatile tool for geospatial data processing and analysis.

### Q: Is GRASS free to use?
A: Yes, GRASS is free and open-source software distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0 or later.

### Q: What operating systems does GRASS support?
A: GRASS runs on Linux, Microsoft Windows, and Mac OS operating systems.

### Q: Who develops GRASS?
A: GRASS is developed by the Open Source Geospatial Foundation.

### Q: What programming languages does GRASS support?
A: GRASS supports programming languages such as Python and C.

## Why It Matters
GRASS is significant in the field of geospatial analysis and GIS because it provides a powerful, free, and open-source tool for processing and analyzing geospatial data. Its open-source nature allows for community-driven development and customization, making it accessible to a wide range of users, from researchers to practitioners. GRASS plays a crucial role in scientific modeling, spatial analysis, and network analysis, contributing to advancements in environmental science, urban planning, and other fields that rely on geospatial data. By offering a robust and flexible platform, GRASS empowers users to perform complex geospatial tasks without the financial barriers associated with proprietary software.

## Notable For
- Being one of the earliest open-source GIS software, with development starting in 1983.
- Its extensive use in academic and research settings for geospatial analysis.
- Support for multiple operating systems, including Linux, Microsoft Windows, and Mac OS.
- Integration with popular programming languages like Python, enhancing its flexibility and usability.
- Active development and maintenance by the Open Source Geospatial Foundation, ensuring continuous improvements and updates.

## Body
### Development and History
GRASS was initially developed in 1983. It has since evolved into a comprehensive geospatial processing engine. The software is maintained by the Open Source Geospatial Foundation, which ensures its continuous development and improvement.

### Features and Capabilities
GRASS is used for a variety of geospatial tasks, including geographic information systems (GIS), spatial analysis, scientific modeling, and network analysis. It supports multiple programming languages, such as Python and C, and uses wxPython for its graphical user interface (GUI).

### Versions and Releases
GRASS has seen numerous versions and releases over the years. Notable versions include:
- 6.4.3 (2013)
- 6.4.4 (2014)
- 7.0.1 (2015)
- 7.2.2 (2017)
- 7.4.0 (2018)
- 7.6.1 (2019)
- 7.8.0 (2019)
- 7.8.1 (2019)

### Operating Systems and Package Managers
GRASS is compatible with Linux, Microsoft Windows, and Mac OS operating systems. It is available on various package managers, including Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, Gentoo, and OpenSUSE.

### Community and Support
GRASS has an active community and support system. Users can access mailing list archives, issue trackers, and user manuals for assistance. The software is also part of collections like the Social Sciences and Humanities Open Marketplace and the Text Analysis Portal for Research.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "GRASS",
  "description": "free and open-source geospatial processing engine",
  "url": "https://grass.osgeo.org/",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q206855", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GRASS_GIS"],
  "additionalType": "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15777"
}

## References

1. [Source](http://directory.fsf.org/wiki/GRASS)
2. [Source](https://marketplace.sshopencloud.eu/tool-or-service/W55H2k)
3. [Source](https://tapor.ca/tools/975)
4. [Source](https://svn.osgeo.org/grass/grass-web/trunk/announces/gnu-release.html)
5. [Source](https://www.openhub.net/p/grass_gis/analyses/latest/languages_summary)
6. [Source](https://grass.osgeo.org/)
7. [Source](https://grass.osgeo.org/news/47/95/GRASS-GIS-7-0-1-released/)
8. [Source](https://trac.osgeo.org/grass/wiki/Release/7.2.2-News)
9. [Source](https://trac.osgeo.org/grass/wiki/Release/7.0.5-News)
10. [Source](https://grass.osgeo.org/download/software/sources/)
11. [GRASS GIS 7.4.0. 2018](https://trac.osgeo.org/grass/wiki/Release/7.4.0-News)
12. [Source](https://github.com/OSGeo/grass/releases/tag/grass_7_6_1)
13. [Source](https://grass.osgeo.org/news/82/15/GRASS-GIS-7-6-1-released/)
14. [Source](https://github.com/OSGeo/grass/releases/tag/7.8.0)
15. [Release 7.8.1. 2019](https://github.com/OSGeo/grass/releases/tag/7.8.1)
16. [Release 7.8.2. 2019](https://github.com/OSGeo/grass/releases/tag/7.8.2)
17. [Release 7.8.3. 2020](https://github.com/OSGeo/grass/releases/tag/7.8.3)
18. [Release 7.8.4. 2020](https://github.com/OSGeo/grass/releases/tag/7.8.4)
19. [Release 7.8.5. 2020](https://github.com/OSGeo/grass/releases/tag/7.8.5)
20. [Source](http://geni.isnew.info/grass/Jim-Westervelt.pdf)
21. [Source](http://grass.osgeo.org/newsarchive.html)
22. [Release 7.8.6. 2021](https://github.com/OSGeo/grass/releases/tag/7.8.6)
23. [Release 7.8.7. 2022](https://github.com/OSGeo/grass/releases/tag/7.8.7)
24. [Release 8.0.0. 2022](https://github.com/OSGeo/grass/releases/tag/8.0.0)
25. [Release 8.0.1. 2022](https://github.com/OSGeo/grass/releases/tag/8.0.1)
26. [Release 8.0.2. 2022](https://github.com/OSGeo/grass/releases/tag/8.0.2)
27. [Release 8.2.0. 2022](https://github.com/OSGeo/grass/releases/tag/8.2.0)
28. [Release 8.2.1. 2023](https://github.com/OSGeo/grass/releases/tag/8.2.1)
29. [Release 8.3.0. 2023](https://github.com/OSGeo/grass/releases/tag/8.3.0)
30. [Release 7.8.8. 2023](https://github.com/OSGeo/grass/releases/tag/7.8.8)
31. [Release 8.3.1. 2023](https://github.com/OSGeo/grass/releases/tag/8.3.1)
32. [Release 8.3.2. 2024](https://github.com/OSGeo/grass/releases/tag/8.3.2)
33. [Release 8.4.0. 2024](https://github.com/OSGeo/grass/releases/tag/8.4.0)
34. [Release GRASS GIS 8.4.1. 2025](https://github.com/OSGeo/grass/releases/tag/8.4.1)
35. [Release 8.4.2. 2025](https://github.com/OSGeo/grass/releases/tag/8.4.2)
36. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
37. [Source](https://grass.osgeo.org/grass-stable/manuals/wxGUI.html)
38. Quora