Microsoft pushing an open source programming language? Indeed, there is an integration kit that gives PHP developers a boost creating a database-powered Bing Maps sites.
As most of you know who read my blog virtual earth has a javascript api and could always be used in whatever programming or scripting language you wanted including plain old html.
In this case they are showing how you can use php specifically to form a GIS application with options for MySQL and SQL Server Lite, though the latter also requires Windows hosting. In either case, you’ll also need PHP 5.2+ (required because the kit uses JSON). PHP and MySQL are the most common programming language and database, supported by almost every host, so these requirements are truly open to everyone, compared to usual examples of Microsoft technologies.
The project site has a working demo, including the ability to add points. Or, download the code and try it on your own server. One of the best parts about this kit is that it comes ready to go with the same code as the demo. All you need to provide are database connection details.
The project was sponsored by Microsoft’s interoperability initiative and like their PHP on Windows efforts, it shows Microsoft is willing to reach out beyond their usual constituency to attract new developers. As a result, this useful resource gives PHP programmers and those that haven’t already adopted Microsoft’s suite of tools an easy introduction to programming Bing Maps.