Geocoding

Geocoding is the process of converting a textual description of a location into geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude, GPS type).

Enter an address on dCode to receive its GPS coordinates (if the address exists in the database).

Geocoding is a complex operation based on a gigantic geospatial database of billions of physical addresses around the world to which their geographic locations (a point with coordinates on a map) are associated.

Addresses are generally first recorded by the competent bodies in each country or territory and each place or place is associated with a name and a position (latitude longitude) in the map plan. The data is then shared (paid or free) with GIS (geographic information system) mapping organizations.

Initially, certain addresses are geolocated manually, then the new addresses are coded on the fly if possible (if same street name, same city, same postal code, then close location). The geolocation work is only partially automated. An expert called a geocoder must complement the software tools.

There are many geocoding technologies available, including APIs (application programming interfaces) provided by companies such as Google, Bing, and OpenStreetMap.

Geocoding is an expensive operation which is therefore billed by almost all geocoding services.

Some services share open-data names and locations such as here

The dCode Geocoder is deliberately limited to a few addresses per day and per user.