What's new in 9.3.1

Summary

This topic outlines the updates to the Web Application Developer Framework (ADF), included in ArcGIS 9.3.1, to enhance and streamline the usability and performance of the product.

In this topic

New Microsoft Bing Maps data source
ArcGIS Server image service support
Support ArcGIS Server MSD-based map services
Enhanced support for WMS services
MapTip templates
PrintTask templates
Enhanced ScaleBar control
New UserControlTask control
ArcWeb data source deprecated
Manager integration of server object extensions
New Visual Studio design-time resource manager dialog box for ArcGIS Server resource items
Geocode locator properties use service defined match properties as default
Visual Studio design-time messaging standardized
Web Mapping Application custom tools use partial postbacks

New Microsoft Bing Maps data source

Microsoft's Bing Maps platform (formerly known as Virtual Earth) provides access to map imagery and location based services. Both have been integrated into the Web ADF as a new data source. For more information, see MapResourceManager control, GeocodeResourceManager control, or Working with data sources.

ArcGIS Server image service support

ArcGIS Server image services provide access to raster data hosted on the server. The Web ADF can use image services as ArcGIS Server map resource items. For more information, see the previously mentioned MapResourceManager control and Working with data sources topics.

Support ArcGIS Server MSD-based map services

ArcGIS Server 9.3.1 includes a new map server document (MSD)-based map service type (sometimes referred to as, optimized map service), which optimizes map rendering and dynamic map image creation. MSD and map document (MXD)-based map services are supported by ArcGIS Server data source in the ADF. Both are considered an ArcGIS Server map resource.

Enhanced support for WMS services

See the following enhancements:

Web Map Service (WMS) map resources support working with authenticated services.
Individual layers within a WMS service can be selected to use in a Map control. The map resource item definition must be modified to define the subset of layers.

MapTip templates

A new template model is available to customize MapTip layout and content. The default MapTip style now includes rounded corners and a gradient fill.

PrintTask templates

A new template model is available to customize printable output from the PrintTask.

Enhanced ScaleBar control

The ScaleBar control is now rendered on the client using pure browser logic (Dynamic Hypertext Markup Language [DHTML], JavaScript). You can still choose to use a server-side resource to generate a scale bar, if necessary.

New UserControlTask control

The UserControlTask enables a page developer to design the interface of a custom task using the drag-drop page style architecture of an ASP.NET user control. The control provides public members for plugging into the ADF task framework and can be deployed in Manager.

ArcWeb data source deprecated

Components that provide ArcWeb support in the ADF will be removed in the next minor release.

Manager integration of server object extensions

Custom server object extensions (SOE) and their property pages can be integrated and administered within Manager. For more information, see "Creating a server object extension" in the ArcObjects Help for .NET developers Help system by clicking the following nodes in the table of contents (TOC):

Developing with ArcGIS, Developing with ArcGIS Server, Extending ArcGIS Server

New Visual Studio design-time resource manager dialog box for ArcGIS Server resource items

In Visual Studio, the resource manager dialog box for selecting and defining map, image, geocode, and geoprocessing service details for ArcGIS Server resource items has been updated. See the previously mentioned MapResourceManager control, GeocodeResourceManager control, or GeoprocessingResourceManager control topics.

Geocode locator properties use service defined match properties as default

Candidate and match scores for an address are determined by the geocode service, not the Web ADF. For more information, see the previously mentioned GeocodeResourceManager control topic.

Visual Studio design-time messaging standardized

The design-time display of control properties and warning messages in ADF controls has been standardized. You will notice the change when adding and configuring ADF controls in a page's design view.

Web Mapping Application custom tools use partial postbacks

The Identify tool and the Measure User control have been updated to work with the ASP.NET Asynchronous JavaScript and XML (AJAX) partial postback pattern. They now initiate partial postbacks instead of callbacks during asynchronous communication with the server.