[MAPSERVER-USERS] MapFile2XML conversion

[John Callahan]

Is it possible to allow MapServer to use KML, or a variation thereof?   
I really don't what would be entailed.  For example, KML can store 
coordinates for displaying vectors, which would be pointless in our 
context.  Can KML point to shapefiles or tables for vectors like it can 
point to TIFs for rasters?  If so, it seems like the infrastructure 
(styling, external editing packages, viewers, conversion tools, wide 
adoption) is already there to build on.  Can we pull pieces from KML to 
make it easier for people to adopt without learning a new structure?

+1 on keeping the configuration maps as file based.  Databases are great 
for many reasons but add an entirely new level of complexity (and points 
of failure) for any application.

- John

****************************************
John Callahan
Geospatial Application Developer

Delaware Geological Survey
University of Delaware
227 Academy St, Newark DE 19716-7501
Tel: (302) 831-3584  

Email: john.callahan at udel.edu
http://www.dgs.udel.edu
****************************************



Barend Kobben wrote:
> Hi Bob,
>
> YES, by all means do move to XML. I think this would be a very important
> step forward (and my first guess is it would be not too complicated, but you
> never know...). 
>
> I do see how some might be attracted to having an DB storage too, but I
> would urge you to always have that as an alternative, not as instead-of:
> keep the main configuration mechanism (XML-)file based! In many use cases
> there's no need for a DB and that would mean you'd have tho have a DB plus
> all its hassle, only for the configuration part. Also the current file-base
> config is ideal in situations were many people need to work on the one MS,
> such as in our educational setup, where we have many students working on
> their own config files in their private dirs, and they don't need to touch
> the 'main' MS setup on the server.
>
> Actually, what are your reasons for preferring an SQL sdolution over the
> file based one...?
>
>
>   


Bob Basques wrote:
> All,
>  
> We've been pondering some sort of alternative to the Mapfiles for a 
> few years now.  A preferable approach would be something that could be 
> stored in a DB in some fashion for querying/assembly processes.  It 
> seems on the surface like a DB schema could be developed to handle the 
> MapFile storage aspects.
>  
> A first step would be in how to best approach moving into an XML way 
> of life for the MapFiles.  Would it make any sense in the beginning to 
> just build a MapFile2XML convertor (I would imagine this would be 
> needed before anyone would sign up for XML) and once something like 
> this is a state close to production, the innards of MapServer would 
> then be made to parse the XML directly? 
>  
> Another approach might be to do something like MapFile2SQL first, and 
> then the MapFile2XML.  This might save some time and seem like it 
> would make standardization easier, since it would need to be inside of 
> the DB fist.
>  
> Has anyone tried putting together any requirements list along these 
> lines at all?  Is it going to be something where we just need to jump 
> in and build something even if it might be a wrong approach to begin with?
>  
> This thread just got me thinking is all . . .you know how dangerous 
> that can be . . . :c)
>  
> bobb
>  

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