[Openstreetmap] Re: Openstreetmap Digest, Vol 12, Issue 12

[Frank Mohr]

Nick Whitelegg wrote:
> Re: WMS, GML etc -  one vague concern, not based on hard evidence or
>        extensive research but just a vague impression (so please correct me
>        if I'm rong)... .
> 
> Would the WMS/GML approach force one to design one's mapping system in a
>        certain way, and restrict one's design options (and thus, perhaps,
>        creativity)  with either the client interface or the server back
>        end?  I know Steve has expressed concern that it doesn't fit in with
>        the wiki aspect of OSM.

i wouldn't think so
GML is just a format for data exchange (like GPX), but provides a wider
range of predefined elements
WMS is a format/protocol to query mapservers


> This is only a vague feeling so please correct me if I'm wrong.  The sort
>        of thing I'm getting at is, Java doesn't allow you to use pointers
>        (so if you want to do things with pointers, don't use Java, use C or
>        C++ or something instead). Similarly, could the WMS/GML approach
>        potentially reduce flexibility in a similar way?

i'd say it extends the flexibility

as in your example with pointers:

the only times i missed pointers in java was when i tried
to do things "the C way"
the fact that java doesn't provide pointers sometimes forces
you to do thinks different, but in most cases it provides a better
and cleaner solution
just to be sure i had a look at a 5000 line C program i wrote
(some kind of restricted shell) and searched for pointers
there where 3 reasons to use pointers in C
- library/system calls -> java wraps them
- returning/passing pointers to functions
  -> returning objects/passing by reference
- string/buffer operations -> would be easier with objects

frank

	

	
		
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