Another strategy would be using OpenLayers as the client layer, and
mapserver CGI as the renderer called from OpenLayers and if you need
customized applications, write REST/AJax/JSON based applets on the
server in Perl/PHP/Python/Java/etc to service the Javascript in your
client and build a real Web 2.0 application.
-Steve W
Brant Anderson wrote:
With the CGI you are passing arguments to the URL. The Mapfile has
templates that it parses to create different views. With MapScript you
are manipulating the map through code. In your case you would be using
.NET MapScript API calls. Using MapScript, as far as I know, the
templates are not used. Instead you'll have to write your own views.
Steve's mapserv.js manipulates the CGI argument string. Look at the code
for that, it has a wealth of starting point knowledge.
http://maps.dnr.state.mn.us/tools/dbox/
<http://maps.dnr.state.mn.us/tools/dbox/>
In my opinion, the MapScript API is easier to work with because if you
already know a web-programming language, you only need to learn the API;
you don't need to figure out how to setup templates or how to manipulate
the CGI argument string.
Also, read this post:
http://mapserver.gis.umn.edu/data2/wilma/mapserver-users/0311/msg00147.html
To answer the unanswered question from that post:
>>Why would I want to use Mapscript?
You have favorite a web-programming language you like to write
applications with.
>>Which benefits does it give me?
More flexible application development. A smaller learning curve (for me
anyway).
>>Simply better control?
Yes. IMHO.
Hope that helps,
Brant
On Nov 21, 2007 12:18 AM, Saka Royban < [EMAIL PROTECTED]
<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > wrote:
Hi
can i ask a basic question?
what's the difference between using Mapscript and CGI?
i'm a bit familiar with Asp.net <http://Asp.net> and its
architecture of web programming but i'm confused about the different
ways of prgramming UMN mapserver.
THX
----- Original Message ----
From: Brant Anderson <[EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>>
To: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2007 5:14:42 PM
Subject: Re: [UMN_MAPSERVER-USERS] NEW Mapserver Application
>> Question 1 Can somebody suggest which is the best option to
develop my
>> application CGI or Mapscript..
I agree with Marcos. The CGI is a good starting point to get your
feet wet. That's where I began. Until one day I decided to take the
leap. I'd recommend using MapScript with a language that you're
comfortable with.
I tried MapScript using Python. I found that I could develop an app
easier using MapScript than with the CGI.
Eventually, I started developing Ruby on Rails apps. So I thought
I'd give Ruby/MapScript a try. I'm not sure what has changed in
Ruby/MapScript since the 5.0.0 release. But I found that my
application was buggy when I switched from 4 to 5. If you're going
to try Ruby/MapScript, I'd recommend using version 4.10 of MapServer.
>> Question 2 Which is the best software available for developing
user
>> interface. (Cartography). Is their a basic version available as
a start
>> point. like mapserver itasca demo.
You stated that you're using Linux. You might want to look into
Quantum GIS. I think there is a MapServer Mapfile Export feature. I
haven't tried it, so I'm not sure how it works.
Best Regards,
Brant
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