Chapter 2. Introducing core API concepts
This chapter covers
- Basics of a map in a web application
- Using different types of map data
- Performing queries
- Working with a FeatureLayer
The ArcGIS API for JavaScript is a well-stocked JavaScript library you can use to build mapping applications. In later chapters you’ll use advanced features of the API, but in this chapter I’ll discuss core features and their uses. We’ll begin our introduction to the core functions of the API with a bit of explanation about how things work so you can be better prepared when something doesn’t work as expected.
A mapping application requires you to fit together many small pieces, but the ArcGIS API for JavaScript brings all these pieces together for you, which simplifies the process. The ArcGIS API for JavaScript uses a modular approach to building web mapping applications; it loads only the necessary pieces (modules) to perform various tasks. An application that features an onscreen interactive map that you can zoom in on and pan around is remarkably simple to create. Additional functionality, such as providing user feedback or building intelligence into the application, takes more work.