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Applicability of open-source web mapping libraries for building massive Web GIS clients

Author

Listed:
  • Gábor Farkas

    (University of Pécs)

Abstract

The increasing capabilities of web browsers and the growing spread of JavaScript have an impact on the development of web-based GIS systems. While in traditional Web GIS applications the client-side component is only responsible for creating representation models, modern geographically enabled JavaScript libraries have extended capabilities, making them capable of doing extensive tasks, like complex geographical analyses. This paper identifies the most capable libraries for being the basis of a Web GIS client (Cesium, Leaflet, NASA Web World Wind, OpenLayers 2, and OpenLayers 3) and compares them. The libraries are compared by their GIS feature coverage and some quality metrics. OpenLayers 3 is identified for being the most capable library by supporting nearly 60% of the examined GIS features, its small size, and moderate learning curve. For comparing the learning curves of JavaScript libraries, a new metric named Approximate Learning Curve for JavaScript is proposed, which is based on other software metrics.

Suggested Citation

  • Gábor Farkas, 2017. "Applicability of open-source web mapping libraries for building massive Web GIS clients," Journal of Geographical Systems, Springer, vol. 19(3), pages 273-295, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:kap:jgeosy:v:19:y:2017:i:3:d:10.1007_s10109-017-0248-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10109-017-0248-z
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    Cited by:

    1. Till Degkwitz & Daniel Schulz & Jörg Rainer Noennig, 2021. "Cockpit Social Infrastructure: A Case for Planning Support Infrastructure," International Journal of E-Planning Research (IJEPR), IGI Global, vol. 10(4), pages 104-120, October.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Approximate Learning Curve for Javascript; Client-side library; Comparison; Massive client; Software metrics; Web GIS;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C44 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics - - - Operations Research; Statistical Decision Theory
    • C61 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Optimization Techniques; Programming Models; Dynamic Analysis
    • C88 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Other Computer Software

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