Abstract: A lineage information processor enables a user to obtain information concerning the various data layers in a spatial data base which contributed to any particular data layer of interest. The component software parses input commands and determines if those commands to the spatial data processing and information systems are valid. The lineage information processor also creates a knowledge representation of the spatial database comprising a meta-database consisting of a semantic network that describes the various data layers in the spatial database and the relationships among these layers. The semantic network consists of parent and child links symbolizing the relationship among data layers, nodes describing the data layers in the spatial database, frames comprising attributes that describe the input data layers, the commands and command modifiers acting on those data layers, and characteristics of the final products.