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    A very brief introduction to how to use the Google Maps API

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    A Brief Introduction to the Google Maps API

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    A very brief introduction to how to use the Google Maps API

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    Download as pdf or txt
    1K views15 pages

    A Brief Introduction To The Google Maps API

    Uploaded by

    Jimmy
    A very brief introduction to how to use the Google Maps API

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 15

    Working with Google Maps

    Javascript, XML, and AJAX

    By: James McAndrew


    http://RidgeAveTech.blogspot.com

    "
    What is Google Maps?

      Google Maps is a free web mapping service.

      It offers street level maps for pedestrians, cars, and public


    transportation.

      It also shows terrain and photographic information.

      It has a very extendable API (Application Programming


    Interface) that can be used to develop custom Google Maps
    based applications.
    How can developers use Google Maps
    API?

      Google Maps “Mashups” have been popular for quite some


    time. Some examples of these are:
      http://www.mapskrieg.com/view/ - A Craigslist Apartment
    finder / Google Maps mashup
      http://geotwitter.org/ - A map of recent posts on the website
    Twitter.
      Many more examples can be found here:
    http://mashable.com/2008/05/14/17-google-maps-mashups-
    to-waste-away-your-day/ and all over the web
    This Slide Show

      This Slide show was created to demonstrate the basic concepts


    behind adding markers to a Google Maps document.
      This Slide show will not cover Javascript programming or
    customization of Google Maps applications.
      It is intended to give users a better understanding of how these
    mashups are created.
      Developers may want to use the example code to extend their own
    maps. There are links at the end of the presentation to the full
    developers site.
    HTML

      HyperText Markup Language.

      The language of the World Wide Web

      Example:
    <HTML>
    <HEAD>
    <TITLE>Webpage</TITLE>
    </HEAD>
    <BODY>
    Content
    <BODY>
    </HTML>
    Javascript

      Javascript is a client side scripting language.

      It is generally run within the user’s Web Browser.

      Very similar to both C and Java, but is a distinct language


    with its own syntax.

      Many dynamic websites are driven by Javascript. (e.g.


    Google Maps)
    XML

      eXtensible Markup Language


      Similar to HTML
      Used to store information.
      Example:
    <recipe name=“Cracker” prep_time="5 mins" cook_time="3 hours">
    <title>Basic bread</title>
    <ingredient amount=“1” unit=“cup”>Flour</ingredient>
    <ingredient amount=“1” unit=“cup”>Water</ingredient>
    <instructions>
    <step>Mix ingredients together.</step>
    <step>Bake in the oven at 180°C for 30 minutes.</step>
    </instructions>
    </recipe>
    AJAX

      Asynchronous JavaScript and XML

      Used to dynamically load XML information into a HTML


    window using JavaScript.

      Ajax is not a programming language, the term is used to


    describe the use of XMLHttpRequest or similar objects.
    XMLHttpRequest

      XMLHttpRequest is the main object we use in JavaScript to


    load an XML document.

      Google Maps provides an interface to load XML that uses


    XMLHttpRequest, but does not require the programmer to
    directly manipulate the XMLHttpRequest object.
    Google Maps API

      Google created the Google Maps API to facilitate developers integrating


    Google Maps into their web sites with their own data points. It is a free
    service, which currently does not contain ads, but Google states in their terms
    of use that they reserve the right to display ads in the future.

      By using the Google Maps API it is possible to embed the full Google Maps
    on an external web site. Developers are required to request an API Key, which
    is bound to the web site and directory entered when creating the key. Creating
    your own map interface involves adding the Google JavaScript code to your
    page, and then using Javascript functions to add points to the map.
      (From Wikipedia)
    Requesting a Google Maps API Key

      http://code.google.com/apis/maps/signup.html

      Requires a web server to run your object.


    Creating your XML Document

    <markers>

    <marker name="Placemark 1" lat="40.191037"


    lng="-75.199484" note=”Lansdale, PA" />

    <marker name="Placemark 2" lat="40" lng="-75"


    note="Riverside, NJ" />

    </markers>
    Google Maps HTML
    Page 1
    Google Maps HTML
    Page 2
    More information:

      Google’s API How-To


      http://code.google.com/apis/maps/

      Google Maps API Blog


      http://googlemapsapi.blogspot.com/

      My Example:
      http://notquitesuremusic.com/maps/CD.html

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