Geospatial web servers and clients to create Web Mapping applications

Source
Earlier versions of this training module were developed within the previous editions of the course “Geographic Information Systems (GIS)”, taught at Politecnico di Milano - Como Campus in the previous Academic Years. The present version derives from a reshape and update of the previous versions.
Ownership
Authors: Marco Minghini and Candan Eylül Kilsedar, Politecnico di Milano. The material is provided under the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commericial Share-Alike License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/).
Abstract

After an introduction to Internet GIS and Web Mapping, the module focuses in detail on how to work with a web map server, GeoServer, and a web map client, OpenLayers. The GeoServer web administration interface is first presented together with its main functions: accessing environment information, visualizing layers, managing geospatial data, service settings and user permissions, etc. The concepts of workspaces, stores and layers are introduced and the process of publishing WMS, WFS and WCS layers with GeoServer is explained using sample data: shapefiles, groups of shapefiles, layer groups, raster maps (in GeoTIFF and ASCII grid formats) and cascaded WMS. The OGC Styled Layer Descriptor (SLD) standard is presented and examples are shown of styling WMS vector and raster layers using the GeoServer SLD editor.

Next, the module introduces web programming and provides basic notions of web development using HTML, CSS and JavaScript. An overview of web map clients is provided and focus is placed on OpenLayers. The module provides a step-by-step exercise on how to build a web map with OpenLayers made of the following components: basemaps (OpenStreetMap, Bing maps and Stamen maps), WMS and WFS layers retrieved from GeoServer with customized parameters (style, opacity, default visibility and scale-based visibility), map controls (coordinates of map cursor, map scale, overview map, fullscreen button and layer tree), and popups.

The module is conceived as a hands-on workshop. It makes use of geospatial data provided by DIVA-GIS (http://www.diva-gis.org/gdata) and recommends, although does not force, to run the software on the OSGeo Live (https://live.osgeo.org). The training material consists of presentations. The module is a self-learning module.

Structure

This module is composed of the following learning units:

  1. GeoServer overview
  2. Practising with GeoServer
  3. Introduction to OpenLayers - 1
  4. Introduction to OpenLayers - 2
Learning outcomes

After the training offer, the participant will be able to comprehend and describe the components of a WebGIS and to experience the usage of geospatial web services; manage the configuration of a GeoServer instance; publish WMS, WFS and WCS layers from GeoServer and customize their properties; apply the notions on SLD to style WMS vector and raster layers from GeoServer; identify and describe the basic notions on HTML, CSS and JavaScript; apply the knowledge on OpenLayers functions to create a web map showing any combination of basemaps, WMS/WFS layers and map controls; inspect the code to solve programming problems; apply the knowledge learnt on geospatial web services to other web map servers and clients compliant with OGC standards.
Intended Audience

Students in a field related to GIS and GIScience, professionals and stakeholders that need to learn the basics on how to create a web map.
Pre-requisites

A basic knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), geospatial web services and OGC standards; knowledge of basic web programming would constitute a plus.
Language
English
Format

PDF presentations. The module is a self-learning module.
Expected workload
Expected workload is 12 hours.