Which API to use when starting with Bing Maps

2
votes

I've spent most of the Christmas reading through the Bing Maps information. However, there are so many different options and choices that I'm getting stuck on the plentifulness.

In one of the most obvious URLs I see both non-API and API approaches. That's confusing. There are AJAX, REST and Spacial Services and, to the best of my understanding, they do pretty much the same. That's confusing too... :)

So, here's the question. I'd like to create a web page that given a certain input (e.g. XML or JSON) will provide me with an image. The image is supposed to be a map with plotted pins (that contain my descriptions), controls for zoom/pan and (preferably) even traveling routes (automatically computed or provided by me) between those pins. Also, It'd be great if I could set a semi-transparent polygons covering some areas.

Which API am I supposed to use?!

I sis something like that a few years ago with Google Maps but as far I recall, I only sent in a XML file and the map was hosted more or less at Google's.

2
c#asp.netbing-maps
did the link to Choose your API that is listed on the website you linked not help? microsoft.com/maps/choose-your-bing-maps-API.aspx - Claies
@AndrewCounts Partially, yes. I know it's a web app I'll develop, so I can filter the selection to the three APIs I mentioned in the question (AJAX V7, REST Services and Spacial Data Services). That's how far I get. Also, there's some talking about non-API approaches as well. All in all - confusion in my brains is total. - Konrad Viltersten
@KonradViltersten ew, bing. [Yes, I know this is not a productive comment] - JNYRanger
@JNYRanger I might be able to affect the choice of technology later on. Is Google Maps to be preferred? Or are we opening a huge can of worms right now? I'd prefer not to close this year by a flame war lasting to the New Year's 2014, haha. - Konrad Viltersten

2 Answers

4
votes

If you're building a web site, then you'll have to choose between the AJAX Control and the REST services. Basically, the AJAX Control allows you to embedded a map in your page, add pushpins, draw shapes, display routes...etc. See http://www.bingmapsportal.com/ISDK/AjaxV7#CreateMap1 for a live demo.

The REST services are more useful for tasks simple like static imagery as well as requests like (reverse)geocoding and routing, that don't involve user interaction.

If you want a full "map control" that allows the user to interact with keyboard/mouse, use the AJAX API. If you're not, REST services could be enough.

EDIT: AJAX API = AJAX control = AJAX v7

Spatial Data Services is a REST API that allows to compute spatial requests against a large number of data. It shouldn't be used to display a map.

If you're interested in something that allows your users to pan/zoom, create pushpins by clicking on the map...etc., then the AJAX control is the most suitable. It offers all the javascript stuff to display a dynamic map that allows user interaction.

0
votes

If your XML file is in GeoRSS or GPX format then take a look at the modules for Bing Maps here which show you how to do this in a few lines of code: https://bingmapsv7modules.codeplex.com/

If your XML file is a custom format then take a look at the GeoRSS module to see how to read XML in JavaScript.

If you have more than a thousand items in your XML file I would highly recommend storing your data in the Bing Spatial Data Services which will expose it as a spatial REST service, or uploading it to a database and using a web service to load the data to the map. Loading more than 1,000 pushpins to a JavaScript map could be slow. Using a service you can load only the data that is in view which would make your app much faster.