Creating JSP web application by using virtual earth
Microsoft virtual earth offers us unique mapping features so that we can visualize location based information. The virtual earth API contains AJAX based elements to accumulate the information from user and to display locations, driving directions and maps. With the help of this article, you will get the information about how to make use of virtual earth and MapPoint web service for creating a JSP web application, which permits users for finding and storing locations on the map.
For creating JSP web application, you have to install some applications such as Apache Tomcat 5.5, Axis 1.3, Java 1.4 and Jakarta Commons HttpClient 3.0. There is release of virtual earth platform by Microsoft. By influencing XML and Asynchronous Java virtual earth pre-renders map tiles, retrieves locations in actual time, permitting users to drag and drop maps, changing map types, and zoom.
We know that all businesses web applications need a communication channel having server side code. The post back mechanism insists web applications for providing a very different experience than providing traditional desktop applications, which are “constantly responsive”. In order to overcome this limitation, web developers are attracted towards older technologies.
AJAZ unites CSS, XML, JavaScript, and HTML for allowing web applications to interact with server side code without executing a post back. With AJAX, the communication between client side code and server side code is possible by making use of XMLHTTPR Request JavaScript object. The XMPLHTTP Request object permits developers for transmitting the high-leveled requests and then receiving fragments of data.
The server only requires processing a little request and then returning a little result set, as there is no need for transmitting and receiving the whole page in a post back, which makes the web applications, becomes fluid. The virtual earth platform unites the aerial and satellite imagery with AJAX technology for creating exclusive mapping experience for users. Virtual earth permits you to design mapping solutions, which perform various activities that are given below.
Displaying high resolution satellite images which include bird’s eye imagery
Pan and zoom the map in actual time
Making use of yellow pages search feature of Microsoft for searching nearby landmarks, attractions and businesses
Displaying satellite based driving directions
Integrating with GeoRss feeds for displaying blog information related to geographic points.
The virtual earth API includes local search services and JavaScript map control. A Map Point web service is needed to access the virtual earth API. Even if virtual earth offers lot of features with traditional MWS but it does not replace MWS because virtual earth depends on MWS for connecting with our POI data source.
Now we will discuss how to build a virtual earth store locator. We can build a virtual earth store by using any technology which give s support to SOAP based web services and AJAX communications. We can design a virtual earth store locator by using Java and JSP. You have to create four files to built up the virtual earth store locator which are as follows.
Mappoint.properties: The Mappoint.properties file stores the credentials, which are used by the application for connecting with MapPoint data sources.
Find Address. Java: It invokes the MWS for geocoding the address, and for generating data which virtual earth uses for displaying the locations on map.
Index.jsp: It provides a start page for user to insert their address. This page also displays the virtual earth map and results for applications.
ConFigSingleton.Java: It stores a particular instance of the MapPoint credentials from the file of Mappoint.properties.
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