[Mapserver-users] Cookie Cutter technique

[Matthew Smith]

Arnulf Christl (CCGIS) wrote:

> Hi,
> maybe it would be a good idea for you to check out the possibilities of
> using PostgreSQL/PostGIS instead of plain shapefiles. We have very good
> experience not only considering performance demands but also overall
> handling of the vector data.
> Additionally it is very comfortable to import and export shapefiles in any
> combination or spatial extension by just putting together an SQL select.
> 
> Cheers,
> Arnulf Christl
> 
Ah yes, the SQL solution...  All my stuff is MySQL based - I'm just 
waiting for PostGIS to work with 4.0, then everything will be easy for 
me ;-)

What I may do is to dump the shapefiles into a database (just as float 
fields since 4.0 isn't spatially aware) then create new shapefiles using 
Mapscript and database queries through Perl DBI.

I am already using a Mapscript/DBI solution to make shapefiles to map 
information from a community information database - works well for me, 
but would be nice to be able to cut out the intermediate step.

Cheers

M


-- 
Matthew Smith
Kadina Business Consultancy
South Australia
http://www.kbc.net.au