[Mapserver-users] Perl/MapScript or PHP/Mapscript

[Lowell.Filak]

On Fri, 4 Jun 2004, Sean Gillies wrote:

> On Jun 3, 2004, at 11:44 PM, Alexander Lim wrote:
> 
> > Hi all,
> >
> > I just getting started and realised that we can make
> > use of Perl/MapScript and PHP/Mapscript, but i would
> > like to know what's the differences and which one is
> > "better" to use. And which one is more popular and
> > more people are using it (This is for getting help
> > from this list when i face some problem down the
> > line). Does the two perform and is doing the same
> > thing at all?
> >
> > which one should i adopt in terms of flexibility and
> > features.
> >
> > please advice. thanks
> >
> > alex
> >
> 
> Hi Alex,
> 
> The mapscript family tree looks like this:
> 
>                 MapServer
>                    /\
>                   /  \
>                  /    \
>       PHP/MapScript    \
>                         \  SWIG MapScript
>                 ---------+---------
>                 |        |         |
>               Perl     Python    Ruby
> 
> The Perl, Python, Ruby flavors are like brothers and sisters and
> the PHP MapScript is like a very close cousin to them.
> 
> They are all quite equal in mapping capability.  The Perl mapscript
> does not quite work natively on Windows, but the others work equally
> well across platforms.
> 
> There is no clear "better" choice.  It will depend on your needs.
> 
> The PHP language makes web programming easy, and this is the most
> popular type of MapScript.  The DM Solutions Group uses PHP/Mapscript
> primarily and have developed a bunch of great web mapping tools that
> they share with PHP/Mapscript users.
> 
>    http://maptools.org/
> 
> They are also very good about answering questions on the users list, so
> PHP/Mapscript has the best overall support.  One looming issue for
> PHP/Mapscript is that there is currently no support for PHP 5.
> 
> On the other hand: Perl, Python, and Ruby are better and more complete
> programming languages than PHP.  Each of these languages are great for
> web programming.  The Ruby flavor of mapscript is very new, and is
> being used in an application called MapDesk:
> 
>    http://www.sourcepole.com/mapdesk/
> 
> The Perl flavor of mapscript has been widely used, but isn't showing
> much promise as a basis for apps like MapDesk.  I don't understand
> why.
> 
> The Python flavor of mapscript is now the best supported of the
> Perl/Python/Ruby family.  In my opinion, the strongest argument for
> using Python/MapScript is that you can then also use the GDAL module
> for Python.  This gives you the best access to many raster and
> vector data formats.  If you are a windows user, you can download a
> windows installer for Python Mapscript from
> 
>    http://users.frii.com/sgillies/projects/pymapscriptwin32.zip
> 
> It works right "out of the box" and batteries are included.
> 
> Hope this information helps you.  There are more options than you may
> have expected!
> 
> cheers,
> Sean

By "not showing much promise" are you referring to it not running on 
MS-Windows? Is that a requirement for apps like mapdesk?

Thanks.

Lowell