API for Javascript vs Web ADF

Question

Hello,

Where can we find a sample map using API for Javascript that has the same set of functionalities as a standard web application genarated by ArcGIS Server, specifically, having  map content window, tool bar with zoom in, zoom out, pan, full view, back extent, forward extent, goto XY, magnifier, identifier, measurement, and overview map.

We'd like to use API for Javascript over the standard generated map to avoid ASP.NET WebForm.

Thanks,
Vu Dang

VuDang1 · Answer

Thanks for all your help.

StephenLead · Answer

The days of a web mapping interface that includes a checklist of 'traditional' desktop GIS elements - OV Map, toolbar, etc.  - have arguably passed.  There is a movement toward more specialized web applications in greater numbers than one single application that tries to do it all

Great points, Jeff.

Anonymous User · Answer

I don't think you're going to find an equivalent to the Web ADF "Out of the box" application written with the javascript API.  This is true for a couple of reasons.

The technologies are considerably different:  Using the Web ADF for .NET or Java relies heavily on server-side support for functionality.  While this can bring in a very powerful toolkit of functionality - ArcObjects - it can also be very expensive.  The javascript API relies exclusively on REST endpoints to communicate with ArcGIS Server - a technology which is more focused on the web and is more efficient for web mapping applications.  In the past, this meant a tradeoff in functionality.  This isn't the case with newer releases of the API and ArcGIS Server, however.  You now can perform all of the same tasks that were available in the Web ADF much more quickly and efficiently.  Due to the recent advancements in the web APIs and ArcGIS Server (including greater support for SOEs), there is no longer a need to use the Web ADF.  This is one reason the Web ADF is being deprecated.

User expectations are considerably different:  The days of a web mapping interface that includes a checklist of 'traditional' desktop GIS elements - OV Map, toolbar, etc.  - have arguably passed.  There is a movement toward more specialized web applications in greater numbers than one single application that tries to do it all.  In addition, more creative UX/UI designs that move away from toolbars and toward floating panels and smooth workflows have proven to be very successful.  It should be noted that if your requirements dictate a toolbar, OV Map, etc. that those elements are supported in our web APIs either directly or - in most cases - with supplied samples.

I would encourage you to spend some time looking at the real requirements of your web application from the point of view of it's audience.  If you do that, you might find that your current idea of the application doesn't really fit, and that one or more workflow-focused application would be a better choice.  Here's a list of samples that might help you get some ideas:

AGOL Web Map as a source - http://help.arcgis.com/en/webapi/javascript/arcgis/demos/ags/ags_createwebmapid.html

ESRI Global Incident Viewer - http://tmapps.esri.com/gdv/

ESRI Public Information Map Sample - http://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=53ae8b9591b0470885f820ea47cc9f45

Basic Navigation toolbar - http://help.arcgis.com/en/webapi/javascript/arcgis/demos/toolbar/toolbar_navigation.html

Editing Toolbar - http://help.arcgis.com/en/webapi/javascript/arcgis/demos/toolbar/toolbar_edit.html

ArcGIS.com app gallery results for 'javascript' - http://www.arcgis.com/home/search.html?q=javascript&t=content&focus=applications

I hope this helps,

JA