[mapserver-users] ArcIMS Emulations

[Paul Ramsey]

Brian Fischer wrote:
> Is a port to PHP possible?

Upon further research, it appears that the answer is "not until PHP
4.0.7". ArcXML clients send requests which have data URL encoded
(ServiceName=Blah) simultaneous with sending raw XML in the POST. 

Firstly, PHP expects you to either POST requests, or GET requests (URL
encoded), but not to do BOTH. I do not know if 4.0.7 will allow one to
do this. Maybe. 
Secondly, PHP currently cannot access raw data from the POST. It expects
the data to be in key/value pairs, and ArcXML is just a raw lump of XML,
without a variable name. Apparently version 4.0.7 will include the
ability to access raw POST data. At that time, the next bridge, getting
simultaneous URL encoded and posted data, can hopefully also be crossed.

Paul