Dynamic Maptitle

[Stefanie Weykam]

Gerjan, 
Here comes an extract of my function. I took the database query part and some other conditions out, so things get hopefully clearer. 
I don't remember why I had to create a line object, but it works. Don't forget to draw the map after you modified the layer.
You can see how it works here:
http://www.vertebradosibericos.org/aves/atlas/presentacion.html
(click on 'mapas de distribución...') 
good luck!
Stefanie

###### change the map title #######

# not shown here:
# establish conection to the database to get the new parameter for the title 
# query result returns an array; $arrayVal[0] is the scientific name of the 
# species I am looking for (is 'year' for you)
# $specname=$arrayVal[0]


# get layer parameters from map file
   $subtitESP=$map->getLayerByName('subtitESP');

# create class object using the existing class parameters 
   $oClass=$subtitESP->getClass(0);  
# ..and set label font and size (only if you wish to change them)      
   $oClass->label->set('font', 'verdana-italic'); 

# create a point and a line object (line object will have only one point here)
   $oP=ms_newPointObj();                 
   $oL=ms_newLineObj();
# create shape object
   $shape=ms_newShapeObj(MS_SHAPE_POINT); 

# set coords of the point and add it to the line, then add line to the shape-object
   $oP->setXY(352,5);  
   $oL->add($oP);
   $shape->add($oL);

# asign the new name (year in your case)
   $shape->set('text', $specname);

# add the layer feature to the shape, switch layer on and draw it
   $subtitESP->addFeature($shape);
   $subtitESP->set('status', 1);
   $img=$map->draw();          
   $subtitESP->draw($img);