How to: Use the Google Maps API geocode service in Servoy

[agiletortoise]

I've posted a small module that demonstrates how to utilize the Google Maps API geocoding services from within Servoy, using HTTP REST calls.

You pass in an address string, and get back a lot of useful information including longitude/latitude, postal codes, county, etc.

Google Maps conveniently will provide JSON formatted results, so it's quite easy to parse and use in Servoy.

Download the module here:

http://greg.agiletortoise.com/software/ ... d_geocode/

It's got a test form that demostrates usage, but you will need to signup for a Google Maps API key, which you can do here:

http://code.google.com/apis/maps/signup.html

Enjoy...

greg.

[bcusick]

Greg - THANKS very much for taking the time to code this terrific example! It's very handy - and it's a great example of how easy it is to use Web Services from within your Servoy application.

NICE STUFF!

[Robert Huber]

Hi Greg

Thanks for the example. I am wondering to what URL did you bind the Google maps API key? Obviously, I like to run it on one of our internal server, and this server does not have a domain name, just an IP address. And it is also not freely accessible as stated in the license term.
Does it matter to which URL the API key is licensed or can it just be the companies URL?

Best regards, Robert

It's got a test form that demostrates usage, but you will need to signup for a Google Maps API key, which you can do here:

http://code.google.com/apis/maps/signup.html

Enjoy...

greg.

[agiletortoise]

It does need to resolve to the machine being used to make the calls, or you get an unauthorized client message, I believe. I'm not positive about that, however.

greg.

[Robert Huber]

But to what URL did YOU bind the key? I mean, the internal server running the Servoy application server normally does not function as a host web server at the same time, does it?
So I am wondering whether I should use the servers IP address, because as developer we have to develop and test first before we deploy the application, don't we?

Best regards, Robert

It does need to resolve to the machine being used to make the calls, or you get an unauthorized client message, I believe. I'm not positive about that, however.

greg.

[agiletortoise]

Actually, thinking about it, for the geocoder calls, I believe anything will work just fine.

It is, of course, technically a violation of the usage terms if you are using it on a purely internal app. But, they'll let you do it as long as you stay within the allowed number of requests per time period.

You run into the enforcement issue if you are actually display and manipulating maps in a browser interface.

greg.