Spotlight on:www.esri.comFrom an interview with Jayant SaiCan you give us a quick overview of the project? What makes it unique?Our customers build web sites that expose maps, data, and geographic analysis. We want their development process to be as easy as possible while giving the end user a rich and interactive application. By using Dojo we are leveraging a simple framework for building rich Internet applications. This allows us to focus on creating a simple API for the ESRI server software ArcGIS Server. Who is it for and how can they get access to it?Public and Intranet What parts of Dojo helped you build out most? Are you doing anything special with the system or mostly using the stock capabilities?The fact that Dojo fixes browser incompatibilities, including handling graphics based on browser, it definitely helps us concentrate on working on the mapping functionality of the API. We like the fact that our users can use the whole Dojo toolkit to build their next generation web 2.0 mapping application, or use just our mapping components, without really getting into the hardcore JavaScript pieces of the toolkit. What made you choose Dojo in the first place?We first learned about Dojo when it was at 0.3. We did not evaluate it at the time for our project, but knew of the option. For the ArcGIS JavaScript API project we chose Dojo since it makes our work and our users' work easier. During the initial implementation process, we evaluated Prototype/Scriptaculous, YUI and pondered writing a home grown solution. But the fact that Dojo had support for vector graphics (gfx), a build system (for compression and cross domain deployment) and the wide range of widgets (dijits) made it a winner. What was your favorite thing about working with Dojo?GFX & Dijit templating. |
Site Selection and Trade Analysis Area 
Surface Profile 
Map Routing |
ESRI
Submitted by dylan on Sat, 08/02/2008 - 05:24.
Any parting thoughts?
Don't reinvent the wheel. Check out Dojo or other toolkits.
The ArcGIS JavaScript API, as the name suggests is an API. The API is hosted on our servers and edge cached, so users can access and create mapping applications from anywhere in the world.