[Mapserver-dev] include directive for mapfiles

Ed Ed
Fri Oct 29 10:00:10 EDT 2004


Tom -

While I've commented on the use of a preprocessor tool (like the C preprocessor) to provide #include support, etc. in mapfiles, I don't object to MapServer support for the same concept.

However, I expect you will quickly encounter, on the trip down this slippery slope, a desire for additional support for macros, variable substitution, etc.  In my case, for example, I have a few hundred mapfiles that are generated from a set of templates based on four or five different defined values (UTM Zone, etc.)  While a simple INCLUDE statement as you describe will certainly solve *some* problems, it won't help my case and I'll still need to keep the mechanism I have now.

I actually think one of the more useful applications of a simple INCLUDE mechanism is creating standard symbology.  It is very common to have multiple layers in a MapFile that should all use the same symbology and styles.  It is not easy to do that while experimenting with or changing styles - the INCLUDE 'class.style' method will make that much easier.

As a former manager of mine used to observe, "All of your problems are caused by solutions." <g>

	- Ed

Ed McNierney
President and Chief Mapmaker
TopoZone.com / Maps a la carte, Inc.
73 Princeton Street, Suite 305
North Chelmsford, MA  01863
ed at topozone.com
(978) 251-4242  

-----Original Message-----
From: mapserver-dev-admin at lists.gis.umn.edu [mailto:mapserver-dev-admin at lists.gis.umn.edu] On Behalf Of Kralidis,Tom [Burlington]
Sent: Friday, October 29, 2004 9:44 AM
To: mapserver-dev at lists.gis.umn.edu
Subject: [Mapserver-dev] include directive for mapfiles


Hi,

During a spirited conversation with Frank and Dave last night, I was encouraged to send a post w.r.t. this subject, so here goes:

For those of us running MapServer with multiple datasets, definitions, etc., it would be nice to be able to 'compartmentalize' mapfile chunks which other mapfiles can refer to.

I'd be interested in hearing others' thoughts of defining a new mapfile object called 'INCLUDE', which does just that, include contents of another mapfile, i.e.:

INCLUDE 'roads.map'

Comments?

Thanks

..Tom

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