Open Source GIS software

5 Open Source GIS Platforms You Must Know For Web and Mobile GIS Development

Have you ever wondered what open source technologies you can use to develop a mapping web or mobile app like Uber or any location based app? The open source offers you various open source GIS softwares that you can use to easily develop a mapping up. First, you need three components to develop a mapping app. These are:

• Data Server: Like any application, you will require a data server to store your spatial data, query the data, and other database operations.
• GIS Server: Another important component of your GIS application is a GIS Server. GIS Server is required to read and manipulate the spatial data stored on the data server. This avoids and optimizes the direct manipulation of data on the database, which usually tends to be messy and sluggish.
• Client: Like any kind of app, a mapping app requires a user interface through which a user interacts with the system and conduct various operations. The client can be used either on a web browser in case of web apps or on an Android/ iOS app.

Below are the 5 open source GIS softwares that you must know for web and mobile GIS development:

1. PostgreSQL/PostGIS

   PostgreSQL is one of the most popular databases in the industry and its user base is growing with time. It is used by giant software companies and apps around the world including: Apple, Instagram, IMDB, Spotify and more. What makes PostgreSQL so popular is its support for unlimited data. And its rich documentation and the availability of many plugins developed by the PostgreSQL community and third-party developers. One of the most powerful these plugins is PostGIS, an extension for PostgreSQL to conduct GIS operations. PostGIS is what makes PostgreSQL a best fit option for mapping data server. With PostGIS, developers have many tools out of the box that they can use for spatial data processing and analysis. Further detail of PostGIS can be found on the official site. 

2. GeoServer

   GeoServer is probably the most popular open source GIS server. Its robustness, strong support base and ease of use are what makes GeoServer as worthy of use in your mapping app. With GeoServer deployed in front of your data server, a developer can carry out all sorts of spatial operations on the database while keeping the data secure and its integrity intact. GeoServer is a Java Servlet application and it can be use in a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) setting by publishing OGC compliant RESTful web services*. For further knowledge on GeoServer, please refer the official documentation.

3. QGIS Server

   Although relatively new to the market, QGIS Server has a continuously growing user base and support. Like GeoServer, QGIS Server serves an OGC compliant web services to manipulate the database while keeping it secure. QGIS Server should not be confused with the desktop GIS software QGIS. Although both are maintained by the same community, QGIS Server is web app hosted on a web server whereas QGIS is a general purpose desktop-based GIS software. You can read further on the official documentation.

4. OpenLayers

   So, once you have your data stored on the database and it is published using a GIS server, you need an interactive mapping app. That’s where OpenLayers and Leaflet libraries become handy. OpenLayers is the most powerful JavaScript mapping library. If your app requires complex GIS operations like on-the-fly projection transformation, OpenLayers has all the functions for such features. Its robust functions and flexibility makes it more suitable for mapping websites and you can easily embed it with your Angular or React web apps. However, it has steeper learning curve compared to Leaflet. You can read further on OpenLayers on the official website.

5. Leaflet

   Along with OpenLayers, Leaflet is the most popular JavaScript mapping library. Leaflet has a strong community behind it, and it is easy to set up compared to OpenLayers. Although the power of Leaflet does not match OpenLayers, it is very light weight and does not require extensive coding. For this reason, Leaflet is more preferable for Android/ iOS mobile apps. Besides, you can easily integrate it with your Flutter app, and if you are more interested to read further on Leaflet, please visit the office site.

* Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) is an international organization that develops standards to make spatial information and services interoperable and accessible.