[mapserver-users] mysql -> php -> .dbf -> ??? -> shapefile -> mapscript -> map Need youd advice.

[Stephen Woodbridge]

The step with the '???' is called geocoding. 

Basically you have to have a way (data source and application) to lookup
the addresses and turn them into a lat/long then you can make a
shapefile. Geocoding is not part of Mapserver or Mapscript. 

If all your addresses are in the US, you can look them up in the
Tiger/Line data files from the US Census, for other countries, I am not
sure where you can get the data, other than commerical datasets and
geocoders which tend to be very pricey.

Greg Mader posted a link to his beginnings of an OpenSource Geocoder but
it would still need data. Check out
http://people.cs.uchicago.edu/~gmader/

BTW, How many addresses to you have? 
How many in the US?

I hope this helps,
  -Steve W.

Jan Mantkowski wrote:
> 
> Hi!
> 
> I really hope the subject is not to confusing.
> 
> Here is what i want to do:
> 1) I have user adresses in a mysql table (PostNuke, www.postnuke.com )
> 2) I exported the data to a dbf file using php.
> 
> 3) ??? How to make shapefiles from .dbf files using php?
> 
> 4) Creating map using PHP/Mapscript.
> 
> Is this possible at all?
> 
> Jan
>