topic Re: Mobile Application with Javascript in ArcGIS JavaScript Maps SDK Questions

Mobile Application with Javascript

VIKRANTKRISHNA — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:39:05 GMT

Does anyone know what is the advantage and disadvantage of making arcgis server application for iOS using JavaScript Compact Build version along with Jquery Mobile development kit and running it on Safari , over making separate iOS application using whole different Flex API and running it as an application in iOS. I have created an webapplication using JavaScript Compact Build and Jquery and this application runs pretty well on Safari(iPad and iPhone) as well as Chrome(on Desktop), so What I am wondering is that, does this method has some disadvantage or limitations? causing people to run behind creating application for iOS.

Re: Mobile Application with Javascript

KellyHutchins — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 16:18:50 GMT

There are definitely pros and cons to each approach (mobile web app vs native) but there are lots of great articles out there like the one below that describe the pros and cons and can help you make the decision:

http://econsultancy.com/us/blog/7832-the-fight-gets-technical-mobile-apps-vs-mobile-sites

Re: Mobile Application with Javascript

VIKRANTKRISHNA — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 17:50:54 GMT

Thanks for the article kelly. One thing is still not clear to me is that, if I use the geolocation map point method given in one of the example given on javascript resource center, and if I take my ipad out it the field, is it then going to point to the my current location or is it going to show the network server location?

Re: Mobile Application with Javascript

KellyHutchins — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 20:07:38 GMT

The sample you refer to uses the Geolocation API to determine the current location. This location can come from several different sources depending on the browser and device such as information about nearby wireless access points and the ip address. The following article on html5doctor.com provides some additional detail on geolocation sources.

http://html5doctor.com/finding-your-position-with-geolocation/

Various browsers may also provide more details about how geolocation works in their browser:

http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/geolocation/

The following stack overflow question also has some good details on how various browsers determine your location.