Document directory
Recently, due to work relationships, I have learned all the mainstream map APIs on the market. Now I share my documents with you. We conduct technical research on several mainstream map API service providers on the market: Google map service, mapabc map service, Microsoft map service, and other map services, based on the survey summary, we provide reference for choosing a more suitable map service provider. 1. Research Content Plan The main contents of this technical research is: 1. Various Kinds of MAP-API use methods. MAP-API to investigate the development efficiency of the system, such as the rationality of the use, the convenience of encapsulation. 2. all kinds of MAP-API functions of the preliminary research, all kinds of MAP-API in the free version of the functional limitations of research, for free and fee version of the similarities and differences, charging policy and price 3. for each MAP-API, a simple call example is completed with a free version of the API, it also facilitates the use of each API code level experience.
2. Survey details 2.1 Google map API Survey
2.1.1. Introduction and evaluation:
Types and application scenarios of Google map APIs:A. Google JavaScript map API: Embedded IFRAME display form, suitable for general Internet application systems, with client systems loaded by standard mainstream browsers. Supported browser types: IE, Firefox, Safari, and Google Chrome. Developed using standard Java scripts to integrate Google map space, similar to the standard Google map function. B. Google Maps API (Flash version): The Flash display form, which can be further developed using Flex. It is suitable for client systems loaded with standard browsers. 'C. google static map API: Images: images are displayed in the form of images. The HTTP interface is used to create images and maps, which has fewer functions than the first two, but does not need to be implemented using JAVA scripts, it is applicable to service calls of mobile phones or customized client systems. Compared with the previous two types of maps, a static map has a maximum of 1000 queries per viewer per day for unique (different) image requests, that is to say, each visitor can view 1000 different map images every day, there is no limit on the same picture, so considering the access volume of the general system, this combination can meet the requirements of most systems.
Evaluation:These three APIs provided by Google can basically meet most of the system requirements. In terms of development difficulty, except that flex is not a mainstream technology and development costs are high, the other two technologies both use the standard web development technology, and the interface Difficulty coefficient is not big, especially in the static map API, it also provides a map type for mobile phones.
2.12. List of main API features and version restrictions:
Main features of Google map API:A. address Resolution (from address name resolution to specific latitude and longitude) B. scaling level settings C. image size setting D. add E. map Path Display (the above are static and dynamic maps, and the following are unique to Dynamic Maps) F. event listening (Listening to browser events on the client, and defining the handling method for events to be accepted) g .. map controls (including Loading Standard map controls and creating custom controls, such as adding annotation controls, switching map controls, and scaling map controls) H. panoramic street object I. integration with Google Earth J. traffic functions (route, travel mode, route section) K. it can be integrated with Google Ajax APIs to improve development efficiency. support access to APIs through HTTPS connections (Enterprise Edition)
2.1.3. Billing policies and business restrictions:Google Maps APIs are divided into two versions: the free version and the enterprise version. The free version does not charge users, but has certain commercial restrictions on use cases:. the number of address resolution requests that can be sent per day is limited. The number of unique (different) image requests per viewer per day cannot exceed the limit of 1000 queries. B. The service must be accessible free of charge to the end user. Therefore, some commercial purposes comply with the terms of use. The free version cannot be used in the following two cases: (1) only paying customers can use your website (2) you can only access your website from your company or your intranet. For more information, see
Terms of Use C. The logo or ownership on the map cannot be changed or covered. In addition to all features of the free version, the Enterprise Edition also enhances service functions and changes some commercial restrictions based on different charging policies. These enhancements are:. support for powerful sla B. customer service support C. added the address resolution restriction D. changes to commercial application restrictions E. supports HTTPS connections to access APIs for data confidentiality purposes.
2.1.4. Technical support:The free version of technical support includes professional and detailed development documentation for Google Code and support for the Google map API forum. In addition to the above support, the Enterprise Edition also provides manual customer service support.
2.1.5. Google map API usage:
To work properly with Google APIs, http://code.google.com/intl/zh-CN/apis/maps/ is needed on its project home page prior to development
Download the key required by the API. There are many examples of map APIs on Google Code, which are fully explained. I will not talk about them here.
Conclusion: Google API advantages:Ample development resources and documentation resources, Apis parallel to Google Map, and powerful custom components and controls. In static APIs, there are map types for mobile-type systems. The API is simple and efficient and meets general system development requirements. 2.2 map abc api Survey
2.2.1. introduction and evaluation of main usage methods:
Types and application scenarios of map ABC APIs:
A.Ajax for flash map api2 & Ajax search API: mapabc only has one API type, which is an embedded flash Map Display Form Based on Java Script technology. It is suitable for general Internet application systems, client System loaded with standard mainstream browsers. Supported browser types: Because the supported browser types are not officially published, this survey tested IE, Firefox is basically no problem, because mapabc uses the Map Display carrier flash, therefore, in theory, all flash formats and JavaScript are supported.
Can be used in all browsers.
B.Map ABC static API: uses a Java Script to generate a static map. The main application scenario is to accelerate map loading, which is called by the system that displays the map in a schematic way.
C.Map ABC map component API: encapsulates the original API to simplify development complexity and improve development efficiency.
Evaluation:All map ABC interfaces are called using JAVA scripts, which are easy to use. However, the generated map is in Flash format and does not support maps in other formats. At least so far, the vendor has not provided APIs for map generation based on server interfaces in the free version. The Enterprise Edition provides these Apis separately. Currently, mapabc API focuses on the Web display function of map, which is weaker than Google's free version.
2.2.2. List of main API features and version restrictions:
Main features of map abc api:A. scaling level settings B. image Size Setting C. add D. map Path Display F. event listening (Listening to browser events on the client, and defining the handling method for events to be accepted) g .. map search (location search, bus route search, and Route Search) H. map plotting tool Integration I. map Control Panel J. static map generation function K. map component Encapsulation
2.2.3. Billing policies and business restrictions:Mapabc APIs are divided into two versions: Public edition and Enterprise Edition. The free version does not charge users, but has certain commercial restrictions on use cases:. when using the map abc api service, the services provided by the website system to users must be open to the public and free of charge. For details, see the map ABC API
API Terms of Use. B. The logo or ownership on the map cannot be changed or covered. In addition to all functions of the Public edition, the Enterprise Edition also provides some customized services and technical support services. These enhancements are: D. development services of professional development teams E. customized development from the front-end interface to the background functions F. targeted mapabc map API Development Training G. quick Response technical support.
2.2.4. Technical support:The free version of technical support includes support for map ABC website documentation and map ABC map API forum. In addition to the above support, the Enterprise Edition also provides manual customer service support.
2.2.5 use of mapabc API
For normal use
MapabcAPI, You Need To http://code.mapabc.com/v1/signup.shtml on its project home page to download the keys required for the API before development. The sample program shows its website.
2.3 survey and summary of other map service APIs
We have conducted technical research on two mainstream map services in China and abroad. In addition, there are some other map APIs on the market, such as 51 tidu, Yahoo map API, and Microsoft Virtual Earth API, mapbar. 51 DITU and mapbar are similar to mapabc and are both domestic map services. Their features are similar to mapabc, mainly because they do not support static map server calls and full JavaScript calls, convenient web calls, but poor interface flexibility, is not suitable for the development of WAP websites. The map interface function of Yahoo is similar to that of Google. Compared with Google, the interface type is more convenient and flexible. However, Yahoo map API does not support map of China currently. If map of China region is available in the future, Yahoo API is also worth considering. Currently, Yahoo Maps support static map generation, with a daily access limit of 50000 times for the same IP address. microsoft map virtual map API provides comprehensive functions, and the interface design flexibility and encapsulation are also good. It also supports static map server generation. With the support of Microsoft's msdn community, development Resources and documents are similar to google maps, but because this product is Microsoft's own service and maintains Microsoft's consistent style, virtual map officially said it only supports IE6/IE7, in addition, the call speed is slightly inferior to that of Google APIs. At the same time, in this survey, Microsoft's live.cn was blocked by GFW for some reasons, which also affected Microsoft's map API service ditu.live.com,
It is expected that similar events will not happen in the future.
3. ConclusionBased on the comparison results of the first survey, we have obtained the above data. At present, in terms of functionality, access speed, and restrictions on various resources, currently, Google Maps API meets our technical needs. It has powerful functions and few resource restrictions. This is only a simple survey, and the results are not necessarily completely accurate. I just want to give you a reference. You can choose the map API based on your own needs. If the complexity is not high, you can choose the API of a free foreign manufacturer, for complex enterprise applications, you can also choose services and APIs of domestic vendors with better support and their customized services. I will give a detailed introduction to the APIS mentioned above. The above are incomplete individual survey results for your reference only. --- Recently, because the project has to use maps again, and a survey has been conducted, Google does not dare to use them. The free features of mapbar are still poor, and there are not many mapabc interfaces, at present, Microsoft's map API is being studied, and its functions are still very comprehensive. We recommend that you use it as your first choice. However, the document learning cost is a little high, and it is not as user-friendly as the development documents of Google and mapbar.
