WMS formats

Do you remember what happens when you click on the OpenLayers link from the Layer Preview page? A small web application opens, and it shows you a map with the data contained in the layer you selected. It is an application based on the OpenLayers framework, and this is also a specific format of output for your layers.

Note

OpenLayers is an open source JavaScript library to display web-based maps, similar to the mapping client from Google Maps and a growing number of others. OpenLayers is also a project of the Open Source Geospatial Foundation (OSGeo). LeafLet (http://leafletjs.com) is a promising mapping client with ties to OpenLayers. Be on the lookout for examples using LeafLet in future chapters.

OpenLayers

Let's look at the URL, and carefully, at all parameters, and analyze the request sent to GeoServer. Consider this output request for the OpenLayers demo:

http://localhost:8080/geoserver/Packt/wms?service=WMS&version=1.1.0
&request=GetMap&layers=Packt:NaturalEarthCountries...