Am I right that MapSuite Web 3 uses open-source libraries such as PROJ, OpenLayer, and Net Topology Suite?
Is there any published documentation on how to use these libraries from MapSuite?
Open-Source APIs in MapSuite
The Map Suite Web Edition takes advantage of the best and most widely used technology available, and as you can see some of that technology is open source. Each project's integration is unique depending on how it fits in our overall architecture. As open source is accessible it is often requested that we integrate with it. With the new Map Suite 3.0's extensible framework it is now possible to easy integrate with closed and open source technology easily and efficiently. Below are some of the details about the integration of the packages you mentioned. We have also integrated with other packages such as ZedGraph and Postgre.
Net Topology Suite is easily accessible to .NET developers as it is a managed assembly. You can find the documentation and supporting information at code.google.com/p/nettopologysuite/ . We have also included the source code with our installer. You can feel free to use the assembly directly for advanced scenarios however we feel there is a lot of value having it integrated with our shapes.
In the case of Proj4 we wrap the C API with managed code to make it easier for developers. We also include it in our projection system which allows you to use other projection engines without having to have in depth knowledge of Proj4. We will also be adding even more specific helper projection classes such as a UTM projection class that makes it easy to use UTM projections without knowing the SRID. You can find Proj4 at trac.osgeo.org/proj/ . I believe we also ship this source with the installer as well.
OpenLayer is a great JavaScript client system for WMS and other systems such as Google Maps and Virtual Earth. We use it in conjunction with our own JavaScript to couple it with the server side world. Many developer feel more comfortable on the server side and you can write rich web application without writing any JavaScript. Of course you are free to use its API to extent the functionality we target. There may be unexpected side effects due to our integration however we would like to know about them. If they are something in a mainstream case we would be more than happy to support it.
If there are other open or closed source packages you would like to see wither directly integrated into Map Suite or added as a Spatial Extension please let us know. Our goal is to make Map Suite the best .NET GIS developer tool in the world.
David