Preface

ArcGIS Server is the predominant platform for developing GIS applications for the web. In the past, you could choose from a number of programming languages to develop web mapping applications with ArcGIS Server, including JavaScript, Flex, and Silverlight. However, the Flex and Silverlight APIs have now retired, leaving JavaScript as the preferred language for developing applications on this platform. Its advantages over other languages include the fact that you can use it to build both web and mobile applications and that it does not require the installation of a plugin: everything runs natively in the browser.

This book will teach you how to build web-based GIS applications using the ArcGIS API for JavaScript. Using a practical hands-on style of learning, you will learn how to build fully functional applications with ArcGIS Server and, in doing so, develop a skillset that is in high demand.

You will learn how to create maps and add geographic layers from a variety of sources, including tiled and dynamic map services. In addition, you'll learn how to add vector graphics to the map and stream geographic features to the browser using a feature layer. Most applications also include specific functionality implemented by ArcGIS Server as tasks. You'll learn how to use the various tasks provided by ArcGIS Server to perform common GIS operations, including queries, identification of features, finding features by attribute, geoprocessing tasks, and more. Finally, you'll learn just how easy it is to develop mobile applications with the ArcGIS API for JavaScript.