NEW Mapserver Application

[Stephen Woodbridge]

Another strategy would be using OpenLayers as the client layer, and 
mapserver CGI as the renderer called from OpenLayers and if you need 
customized applications, write REST/AJax/JSON based applets on the 
server in Perl/PHP/Python/Java/etc to service the Javascript in your 
client and build a real Web 2.0 application.

-Steve W

Brant Anderson wrote:
> With the CGI you are passing arguments to the URL. The Mapfile has 
> templates that it parses to create different views. With MapScript you 
> are manipulating the map through code. In your case you would be using 
> .NET MapScript API calls. Using MapScript, as far as I know, the 
> templates are not used. Instead you'll have to write your own views.
> 
> Steve's mapserv.js manipulates the CGI argument string. Look at the code 
> for that, it has a wealth of starting point knowledge. 
> http://maps.dnr.state.mn.us/tools/dbox/ 
> <http://maps.dnr.state.mn.us/tools/dbox/>
> 
> In my opinion, the MapScript API is easier to work with because if you 
> already know a web-programming language, you only need to learn the API; 
> you don't need to figure out how to setup templates or how to manipulate 
> the CGI argument string.
> 
> Also, read this post:
> http://mapserver.gis.umn.edu/data2/wilma/mapserver-users/0311/msg00147.html
> 
> To answer the unanswered question from that post:
>  >>Why would I want to use Mapscript?
> You have favorite a web-programming language you like to write 
> applications with.
> 
>  >>Which benefits does it give me?
> More flexible application development. A smaller learning curve (for me 
> anyway).
> 
>  >>Simply better control?
> Yes. IMHO.
>  
> 
> Hope that helps,
> Brant
> 
> 
> On Nov 21, 2007 12:18 AM, Saka Royban < srph124 at yahoo.com 
> <mailto:srph124 at yahoo.com> > wrote:
> 
>     Hi
>     can i ask a basic question?
>     what's the difference between using Mapscript and CGI?
>     i'm a bit familiar  with Asp.net <http://Asp.net> and its
>     architecture of web programming but i'm confused about the different
>     ways of prgramming UMN mapserver.
>     THX
> 
>     ----- Original Message ----
>     From: Brant Anderson <rabrant at GMAIL.COM <mailto:rabrant at GMAIL.COM>>
>     To: MAPSERVER-USERS at LISTS.UMN.EDU <mailto:MAPSERVER-USERS at LISTS.UMN.EDU>
>     Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2007 5:14:42 PM
>     Subject: Re: [UMN_MAPSERVER-USERS] NEW Mapserver Application
> 
>      >> Question 1   Can somebody suggest which is the best option to
>     develop my
>      >> application CGI or Mapscript..
>     I agree with Marcos. The CGI is a good starting point to get your
>     feet wet. That's where I began. Until one day I decided to take the
>     leap. I'd recommend using MapScript with a language that you're
>     comfortable with.
> 
>     I tried MapScript using Python. I found that I could develop an app
>     easier using MapScript than with the CGI.
> 
>     Eventually, I started developing Ruby on Rails apps. So I thought
>     I'd give Ruby/MapScript a try. I'm not sure what has changed in
>     Ruby/MapScript since the 5.0.0 release. But I found that my
>     application was buggy when I switched from 4 to 5. If you're going
>     to try Ruby/MapScript, I'd recommend using version 4.10 of MapServer.
> 
>      >> Question 2   Which is the best software available for developing
>     user
>      >> interface. (Cartography). Is their a basic version available as
>     a start
>      >> point. like mapserver itasca demo.
>     You stated that you're using Linux. You might want to look into
>     Quantum GIS. I think there is a MapServer Mapfile Export feature. I
>     haven't tried it, so I'm not sure how it works.
> 
>     Best Regards,
>     Brant
> 
> 
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> 
>