Review: Corda OptiMap 5.0
Summary:
Corda OptiMap (Corda.com) is a Web-oriented dynamic
mapping tool that enables Web developers to show real-time
database information in a geographical format. OptiMap consists
of two primary components: OptiMap Server which serves the
dynamic maps, and OptiMap Builder for designing and Web-enabling
maps. OptiMap server can return maps in a number of different
formats including PDF, JPEG and Macromedia Flash, and can be
called either from a simple HTML page or directly through
application server templates, such as JSP pages, servlets, ASP
.NET pages and ColdFusion pages.
Imagine what a tool like this could bring to your Web
applications. You could display regional sales reports and
global weather information. Displaying statistical or
demographic data by state or election information could be done
dynamically. Geographical information display is a powerful way
to view and understand many different types of data for
marketing, planning and a number of other purposes. Because of
the wide-spread and powerful implications of such a technology,
an entire field, called Geographical Information Systems, or
GIS, has emerged. However, from a Web developer's standpoint,
most of the GIS software currently available is high-powered,
high cost and is designed to deliver industry-specific, print-
resolution maps to engineers, urban planners and other
specialists. Enter OptiMap.
OptiMap Intro
As a developer working with OptiMap, you will need to provide
the server with all of the information it will need to draw your
map. There are basically four different pieces involved in this
process:
- An XML-based map outline. This outline
specifies the outline of the map to draw. You can either create
your own map outlines or select from a number of included
templates, such as the U.S., Africa and so on.
- A datasource. This is the database that
contains the data you wish to use to populate the map with. You
can also enter the data manually in the OptiMap Builder, but
more on that later.
- An XML-based appearance file. This file
will contain information about how to display the map in much
the same way as a stylesheet defines an HTML page.
- A number of formatting variables. These are
passed to the server when called on by an application server or
HTML page and will specify the format (Flash, JPEG, etc.), size
and other similar items.
With all these elements in place, the OptiMap server will
generate and deliver a map based on all of the information
passed to it. The OptiMap Builder gives you a visual interface
to create the files to describe the map outline and
appearance.
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