PROJ library not installed

Oct 13, 2025 by pinkandtrash.com 72 views

Introduction

The terra package in R is a powerful tool for working with geospatial data. It provides a simple and efficient way to read, write, and manipulate geospatial data in various formats. However, like any other software, it can sometimes encounter errors. In this article, we will discuss a common error that some users have reported when using the terra package in R, specifically the "PROJ: proj_identify: Cannot find proj.db" error.

Understanding the Error

The "PROJ: proj_identify: Cannot find proj.db" error is a GDAL error that occurs when the terra package is unable to find the proj.db file. The proj.db file is a database file that contains information about coordinate reference systems (CRS) and is used by the PROJ library to perform coordinate transformations.

Causes of the Error

There are several reasons why the terra package may be unable to find the proj.db file, including:

Missing proj.db file: The proj.db file may be missing from the system or may not be in the correct location.
Incorrect proj.db file path: The path to the proj.db file may be incorrect in the terra package configuration.
PROJ library not installed: The PROJ library may not be installed on the system, which can prevent the terra package from finding the proj.db file.
GDAL version conflict: There may be a conflict between the version of GDAL installed on the system and the version required by the terra package.

Troubleshooting the Error

To troubleshoot the "PROJ: proj_identify: Cannot find proj.db" error, follow these steps:

Step 1: Check the proj.db file location

The proj.db file is usually located in the /usr/share/proj directory on Linux systems or in the C:\Program Files\GDAL directory on Windows systems. Check if the file exists in this location and if it is readable by the R process.

Step 2: Check the GDAL version

Check the version of GDAL installed on the system using the gdalinfo command. If the version is not compatible with the terra package, you may need to update GDAL to a compatible version.

Step 3: Check the PROJ library installation

Check if the PROJ library is installed on the system using the projinfo command. If the library is not installed, you may need to install it using the package manager or by downloading and installing it manually.

Step 4: Update the terra package configuration

Update the terra package configuration to point to the correct location of the proj.db file. You can do this by setting the PROJ_LIB environment variable to the location of the proj.db file.

Step 5: Reinstall the terra package

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, you may need to reinstall the terra package. This will ensure that the package is installed with the correct configuration and dependencies.

Preventing the Error

To prevent the "PROJ: proj_identify: Cannot find proj.db" error from occurring in the future, follow these best practices:

Keep GDAL and PROJ libraries up to date: Regularly update GDAL and PROJ libraries to ensure that they are compatible with the terra package.
Use the correct proj.db file path: Ensure that the path to the proj.db file is correct in the terra package configuration.
Check the proj.db file location: Regularly check the location of the proj.db file to ensure that it is readable by the R process.

Conclusion

The "PROJ: proj_identify: Cannot find proj.db" error is a common issue that can occur when using the terra package in R. By understanding the causes of the error and following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article, you can resolve the issue and continue using the terra package without any problems. Remember to keep GDAL and PROJ libraries up to date, use the correct proj.db file path, and check the proj.db file location regularly to prevent the error from occurring in the future.

Additional Resources

For more information on the terra package and GDAL, refer to the following resources:

terra package documentation: https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/terra/index.html
GDAL documentation: https://gdal.org/
PROJ library documentation: https://proj.org/
Terra Package: "PROJ: proj_identify: Cannot find proj.db" Error in R - Q&A ===========================================================

Introduction

The "PROJ: proj_identify: Cannot find proj.db" error is a common issue that can occur when using the terra package in R. In this article, we will provide a Q&A section to help you understand the error and its causes, as well as provide solutions to resolve the issue.

Q&A

Q: What is the "PROJ: proj_identify: Cannot find proj.db" error?

A: The "PROJ: proj_identify: Cannot find proj.db" error is a GDAL error that occurs when the terra package is unable to find the proj.db file. The proj.db file is a database file that contains information about coordinate reference systems (CRS) and is used by the PROJ library to perform coordinate transformations.

Q: What are the causes of the "PROJ: proj_identify: Cannot find proj.db" error?

A: There are several reasons why the terra package may be unable to find the proj.db file, including:

Missing proj.db file: The proj.db file may be missing from the system or may not be in the correct location.
Incorrect proj.db file path: The path to the proj.db file may be incorrect in the terra package configuration.
PROJ library not installed: The PROJ library may not be installed on the system, which can prevent the terra package from finding the proj.db file.
GDAL version conflict: There may be a conflict between the version of GDAL installed on the system and the version required by the terra package.

Q: How can I troubleshoot the "PROJ: proj_identify: Cannot find proj.db" error?

A: To troubleshoot the "PROJ: proj_identify: Cannot find proj.db" error, follow these steps:

Check the proj.db file location: Check if the proj.db file exists in the /usr/share/proj directory on Linux systems or in the C:\Program Files\GDAL directory on Windows systems.
Check the GDAL version: Check the version of GDAL installed on the system using the gdalinfo command.
Check the PROJ library installation: Check if the PROJ library is installed on the system using the projinfo command.
Update the terra package configuration: Update the terra package configuration to point to the correct location of the proj.db file.
Reinstall the terra package: If none of the above steps resolve the issue, you may need to reinstall the terra package.

Q: How can I prevent the "PROJ: proj_identify: Cannot find proj.db" error from occurring in the future?

A: To prevent the "PROJ: proj_identify: Cannot find proj.db" error from occurring in the future, follow these best practices:

Keep GDAL and PROJ libraries up to date: Regularly update GDAL and PROJ libraries to ensure that they are compatible with the terra package.
Use the correct proj.db file path: Ensure that the path to the proj.db file is correct in the terra package configuration.
Check the proj.db file location: Regularly check the location of the proj.db file to ensure that it is readable by the R process.

Q: What are some common mistakes that can cause the "PROJ: proj_identify: Cannot find proj.db" error?

A: Some common mistakes that can cause the "PROJ: proj_identify: Cannot find proj.db" error include:

Incorrect proj.db file path: Using an incorrect path to the proj.db file can prevent the terra package from finding the file.
Missing proj.db file: Failing to install or copy the proj.db file to the correct location can cause the error.
GDAL version conflict: Using a version of GDAL that is not compatible with the terra package can cause the error.

Q: How can I contact support for the terra package?

A: If you are experiencing issues with the terra package and are unable to resolve the issue using the troubleshooting steps outlined above, you can contact the terra package support team for assistance. You can find contact information for the terra package support team on the terra package website.