MapGuide RFC 34 - Add ApplicationDefinition resource type and schema for Fusion integration

This page contains an change request (RFC) for the MapGuide Open Source project. More MapGuide RFCs can be found on the RFCs page.

Status

RFC Template Version	(1.0)
Submission Date	Aug 20, 2007
Last Modified	Chris Claydon Timestamp
Author	Chris Claydon
RFC Status	adopted
Implementation Status	under development
Proposed Milestone	2.0
Assigned PSC guide(s)	Tom
Voting History
+1	Tom, Bruce, Paul, Jason, Andy, Haris, Bob

Overview

This RFC contains a proposal for the new schema for web applications based on the new "Fusion" framework, and for code modifications required to support the corresponding new resource type.

Motivation

The new application definition framework (aka Fusion) for MapGuide Open Source web applications requires ApplicationDefinition resources to be created and stored in the MapGuide repository. These resources define and configure the various components that are used in the web application, such as toolbars, context menus and maps, as well as controls such as Pan, Zoom, Search, Select etc.

Proposed Solution

The working version of the ApplicationDefinition schema is attached. It may still require a few modifications during the development process, but is essentially complete in its current form. This schema will be installed along with the MapGuide Server to allow it to validate ApplicationDefinition resources that are added to the repository.

The current APIs to save, retrieve and enumerate resources will remain unchanged. However, the underlying code will support the new "ApplicationDefinition" resource type, and MgResourceType will gain a definition for the MgResourceType::ApplicationDefinition string constant.

Implications

Support for this additional resource type will not impact any of the existing resource types. ApplicationDefinitions will be allowed in the Session and Library repositories only (not in the Site repository). MapGuide map definitions referenced by the application definition will be identified using a <ResourceId> tag to allow the resource dependencies to be tracked in the same fashion as for the existing resource types.

Test Plan

Testing should be carried out by creating, updating, deleting and enumerating ApplicationDefinition resources in the MapGuide Repository.

Funding/Resources

Funding and resources to be supplied by Autodesk.