[Mapserver-users] Mapserver connectivity with Java/Perl

[Joe Bussell]

We are presently using PERL to handle our map production, including 
layering of routes on top of the map.  We evaluated ESRI's offerings as 
well as MapServer and determined that the path to achieve a usable 
solution was clearer on the MapServer thread.  Specific elements of 
MapServer make it the right choice for us at TrafficDodger.  First, 
using PERL mapscript we have complete control of layers.  This includes 
the inclusion of dynamic layers.  It was trivial for instance for me to 
add the hide/show speeds and events on our page by setting a CGI 
parameter which PERL interprets.  Second, we needed to write a route for 
a given user for  a given session.  This required a live data layer 
which was easily tracked and reproduced by dynamically adding shapes to 
the image object.  To achieve the same level of user control I was told 
by an ESRI engineer that I would have to write a custom Java servlet to 
reside on my Linux box which would marshal map requests to the server. 
This seemed cumbersome and undesireable.  They offered to build it for 
me for consideration as custom development, no thanks!

Using mapscript you can do just about anything given a shapefile and 
associated dbf.  You will experience improved performance by creating 
spatial indeces into that data (search for shptree).

There are some good examples out there, just search.

Finally, much of this work has been done.  What is your project scope?

Cordially,

Joe Bussell
On Time Systems
www.trafficdodger.com


garre at u.washington.edu wrote:
> Hi folks.  I am currently looking for a little help with how Mapserver relates to Java and Perl.  
> 
> In trying to create a web-based real-time transportation map, I am debating whether to take the ArcSDE/ArcIMS rout or use a langage API (Perl or Java) and combine it with Mapserver.
> 
> To help in my decision making I was hoping several of you could direct me to any documentation or reply with any first hand knowledge of how Mapserver works with the Java and Perl programming languages.  
> 
> Also, can Mapserver read directly from a database file (.dbf) that includes all necessary data and create shapefiles or does it need the standard collection of .prj, .sbn, .sbx, etc support files like those found with ESRI shapefiles?  I am an ESRI-educated individual so the functionality of Mapserver and it's connectivity with programming languages are uncharted waters from my standpoint.  I am aware that Mapserver supports ESRI shapefiles, but I am more curious about data that has not yet been formatted into a .shp file.
> 
> If anybody has code samples of Mapserver using Java or Perl it would be of GREAT help.
> 
> Many thanks in advance!
> 
> 
> Justin Garre
> University of Washington
> garre at u.washington.edu
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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