Web Mapping Illustrated

Using MapServer with Web Services

It isn't necessary to program applications to use web services. MapServer is already able to access and provide data using a web services framework. This chapter focuses on setting up your MapServer application to use these services and will show you how to define a layer in your map file (which uses data retrieved from a remote data source). You will also learn how to set up your own service to make your data available to others.

The web services specifications for mapping come from the Open Geospatial Consortium (formerly known as the Open GIS Consortium). The OGC has developed standards or specifications for web services for mapping. The goal of the organization is to improve interoperability between applications by creating some common interchange languages through common standards. The membership list is quite impressive, as are the goals. Here is a brief description from the About page at http://opengeospatial.org/about/:

The Open Geospatial Consortium, Inc. (OGC) is an international industry consortium of 270 companies, government agencies and universities participating in a consensus process to develop publicly available interface specifications. OpenGIS® Specifications support interoperable solutions that "geo-enable" the Web, wireless and location-based services, and mainstream IT. The specifications empower technology developers to make complex spatial information and services accessible and useful with all kinds of applications. ...