Web Mapping Illustrated

Name

Inline MapServer Features

Synopsis

Inline features refer to coordinates entered directly into the map file. They aren't a file or database format and don't require any DATA or CONNECTION parameters. Instead they use a FEATURE section to define the coordinates.

Inline features can be used to define points, lines, and polygons as if taken from an external file; this requires direct entry of coordinate pairs in the map file using a particular syntax.

Data access/connection method

This is a native MapServer option that doesn't use any external libraries to support it.

Map file example

Each FEATURE..END section defines a feature.

Points

Multiple points can be defined in a FEATURE section. If multiple points are defined in the same layer, they have the same CLASS settings; for example, for colors and styles.

Coordinates are entered in the units set in the layer's projection. In this case, it assumes the map file projection is using decimal degrees.

    LAYER
      NAME inline_stops
      TYPE POINT
      STATUS DEFAULT
      FEATURE
        POINTS
          72.36 33.82
        END
        TEXT "My House"
      END
      FEATURE
        POINTS
          69.43 35.15
          71.21 37.95
          72.02 38.60
        END
        TEXT "My Stores"
      END
      CLASS
        COLOR 0 0 250
        SYMBOL 'circle'
        SIZE 6
      END
    END

Lines

Lines are simply a list of points strung together, but the layer must be TYPE LINE instead of TYPE POINT.

 LAYER NAME inline_track TYPE LINE STATUS DEFAULT MAXSCALE 10000000 FEATURE POINTS 72.36 33.82 70.85 34.32 69.43 35.15 70.82 36.08 70.90 37.05 71.21 37.95 END END CLASS COLOR 255 10 0 SYMBOL 'circle' SIZE 2 END END ...