[Mapserver-users] Mapfile format in XML

[Paul Spencer]

No, although this has been discussed extensively.  If you search the 
list archives I believe that for the near term the decision was that XML 
would likely add too much overhead (especially if it validates) to the 
parsing process (and probably adds an additional library dependency on 
something like xerces) and no real benefits.  The MapServer developers 
place a high emphasis on keeping the core of MapServer lean and mean so 
it can perform very well in high-load situations, so I believe that it 
is unlikely that a compelling argument for XML could be made that would 
influence the core developers.

If you really believe strongly in it, though, you can do it yourself and 
then try to sell the idea (ah, the beauty of open source ;)).

The capability that Gerald refers to is an XML format for a 
"map-file-like" document that describes WMS layers only, and does not 
directly include the ability to style layers, add labels, and all the 
other cool things that MapServer can do via the MAP file.  MapServer 
support for Contexts requires the GDAL library and parses the XML using 
the GDAL minixml driver, which is a non-validating parser.  This format 
is probably of very little actual benefit to most MapServer users except 
those that use WMS.  The Context document itself is meant primarily as 
an interchange format that allows users to share views.

Cheers,

Paul

Gerald Buckmaster wrote:

 > Hi,
 >
 > I think this link might be what you are looking for:
 >
 > http://mapserver.gis.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?MapContextHowto
 >
 > HTH
 >
 > Gerald
 >

Morten Nielsen wrote:

> Is there any plans on upgrading/supplementing the MAP format to XML ?
> It would make a lot of things easier, when processing the Map file in other
> scripts (not to mention the validating that a DTD could offer).
> 
> XML is the future :-)
> 
> /Morten Nielsen
> http://www.iter.dk
> 
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> 

-- 
Paul Spencer
Applications and Software Development
DM Solutions Group Inc.
http://www.dmsolutions.ca