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Working with Google Maps Javascript, XML, and AJAX
By: James McAndrew http://RidgeAveTech.blogspot.com
What is Google Maps?
Google Maps is a free web mapping service.
It offers street level maps for pedestrians, cars, and public transportation.
It also shows terrain and photographic information.
It has a very extendable API (Application Programming Interface) that can be used to develop custom Google Maps based applications.
How can developers use Google Maps API?
Google Maps “Mashups” have been popular for quite some time. Some examples of these are: http://www.mapskrieg.com/view/ - A Craigslist Apartment
finder / Google Maps mashup
http://geotwitter.org/ - A map of recent posts on the website Twitter.
Many more examples can be found here: http://mashable.com/2008/05/14/17-google-maps-mashups-to-waste-away-your-day/ and all over the web
This Slide Show
This Slide show was created to demonstrate the basic concepts behind adding markers to a Google Maps document.
This Slide show will not cover Javascript programming or customization of Google Maps applications.
It is intended to give users a better understanding of how these mashups are created.
Developers may want to use the example code to extend their own maps. There are links at the end of the presentation to the full developers site.
HTML
HyperText Markup Language.
The language of the World Wide Web
Example: <HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>Webpage</TITLE> </HEAD>
<BODY> Content
<BODY> </HTML>
Javascript
Javascript is a client side scripting language.
It is generally run within the user’s Web Browser.
Very similar to both C and Java, but is a distinct language with its own syntax.
Many dynamic websites are driven by Javascript. (e.g. Google Maps)
XML
eXtensible Markup Language
Similar to HTML
Used to store information.
Example: <recipe name=“Cracker” prep_time="5 mins" cook_time="3 hours">
<title>Basic bread</title> <ingredient amount=“1” unit=“cup”>Flour</ingredient>
<ingredient amount=“1” unit=“cup”>Water</ingredient> <instructions>
<step>Mix ingredients together.</step> <step>Bake in the oven at 180°C for 30 minutes.</step>
</instructions> </recipe>
AJAX
Asynchronous JavaScript and XML
Used to dynamically load XML information into a HTML window using JavaScript.
Ajax is not a programming language, the term is used to describe the use of XMLHttpRequest or similar objects.
XMLHttpRequest
XMLHttpRequest is the main object we use in JavaScript to load an XML document.
Google Maps provides an interface to load XML that uses XMLHttpRequest, but does not require the programmer to directly manipulate the XMLHttpRequest object.
Google Maps API
Google created the Google Maps API to facilitate developers integrating Google Maps into their web sites with their own data points. It is a free service, which currently does not contain ads, but Google states in their terms of use that they reserve the right to display ads in the future.
By using the Google Maps API it is possible to embed the full Google Maps on an external web site. Developers are required to request an API Key, which is bound to the web site and directory entered when creating the key. Creating your own map interface involves adding the Google JavaScript code to your page, and then using Javascript functions to add points to the map.
(From Wikipedia)
Requesting a Google Maps API Key
http://code.google.com/apis/maps/signup.html
Requires a web server to run your object.
Creating your XML Document
<markers>
<marker name="Placemark 1" lat="40.191037" lng="-75.199484" note=”Lansdale, PA" />
<marker name="Placemark 2" lat="40" lng="-75" note="Riverside, NJ" />
</markers>
Google M
aps HT
ML
P
age 1
Google M
aps HT
ML
P
age 2
More information:
Google’s API How-To http://code.google.com/apis/maps/
Google Maps API Blog http://googlemapsapi.blogspot.com/
My Example: http://notquitesuremusic.com/maps/CD.html
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