What does the 'con' prefix indicate in the raster calculator syntax?

In the context of raster calculator syntax within Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the 'con' prefix indicates a conditional statement. This terminology is used in raster analysis to create a new raster by applying a condition to existing rasters.

When using the 'Con' function, you typically specify a condition that determines which values will be assigned to the output raster based on the evaluation of input rasters. For example, you might set a condition that if the value of a pixel is greater than a certain threshold, it will get a new value in the output raster; otherwise, it will receive a different value.

The ability to apply conditional logic in raster calculations is crucial in many spatial analyses, as it allows practitioners to manipulate data based on specific criteria and derive meaningful insights from their datasets. This functionality is a fundamental aspect of working with raster data in GIS, making understanding the 'con' prefix essential for effective GIS analysis.