Version 5.6 introduces an XML mapfile schema and stylesheet. So (in theory) one could manage a mapfile in XML and transform it for use. We intend to allow more direct use somehow although that hasn't been decided. At the code sprint an on-the-fly transformation was tested successfully. Other options include just-in-time conversion from XML to .map (via XSLT) or native XML parsing. We'll see...
On a side note, developers here played with using HTML legends to create output suitable for use with the YUI collapsible menu widgets. In the end we gave up and instead worked up a PHP/MapScript-based solution. The script works off a mapfile and a bit of embedded metadata to produce a JSON legend object. That object is passed in turn to a legend widget that is based on YUI. The legend is somewhat framework agnostic and we've hooked it up to dbox (where it started) and more recently OpenLayers. With an XML mapfile one could probably to the JSON production independent of MapScript or entirely on the client although that's probably sharing too much information. Steve ________________________________________ From: mapserver-users-boun...@lists.osgeo.org [mapserver-users-boun...@lists.osgeo.org] On Behalf Of Bill Thoen [bth...@gisnet.com] Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2010 1:47 PM To: mapserver-users@lists.osgeo.org Subject: Re: [mapserver-users] A Question of Group Bob Basques wrote: > > Bill, > > > This is a shameless plug for GeoMoose functionality, it was prompted > by your comments below however, so I don't feel too bad :c) > > Grab every opportunity that sets you up for a pitch! Although I'm actually not unhappy with HTML Legends --I've found workarounds for things I don't like-- but it would have been nice to have known in advance where it runs out of steam or just doesn't go, so I'd know whether I would reach the point of implementing kludges before or after I reached my goal. GeoMoose sounds pretty good and seems to solve my problems 1-2-3... But before I go try it out now instead of later and spend a lot of time I can't spare contemplating a software switch and testing its capabilities for possible use in a project with a tight deadline, can you highlight for me the top two or three areas where the hard, cold ground rises up to meet it (i.e. where it falls on its face)? I'm not looking for what's broken, but more along the lines of what it is NOT designed for, so I don't make th e mistake of trying to use in a situation where it will not do well. > * Each layer (or group of layers) is controlled via it's own mapfile, > while this might seem cumbersome to manage, it does allow for separate > and integrated management of data layers by many data custodians, > which is what GeoMoose was originally designed for, many data > custodians doing their own thing. It's also very good for automation > purposes in general. > > One of the both strong points and weak points in the FOSS mapping software I've seen so far is its almost universal core dependence on mapfiles or templates as the driving mechanism. These are powerful in that the are easily modified, human and machine readable and you can record layer "states" and mix and match the "objects" later on as you like to create alternate configurations. But where they're a weak point is when you want to provide a warm 'n fuzzy front end for User B. Goode. Templates are difficult to work with at that point. They're based on the 1950s-60s notion of batch programming in which the programmer decides where the process starts and ends. So when you try to build an interactive, user-driven interface on top of this, the bugs and shortcomings you tend to run into are usually rooted in a sort of schizophrenia between the two paradigms. Has anyone here considered breaking down the rigidity of the mapfile architecture by writing them in XML or JSON formats so they can be more easily manipulated by an application? - Bill Thoen _______________________________________________ mapserver-users mailing list mapserver-users@lists.osgeo.org http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/mapserver-users _______________________________________________ mapserver-users mailing list mapserver-users@lists.osgeo.org http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/mapserver-users