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You can use SOAP, OpenLS, ArcWeb Explorer JavaScript, ArcWeb Explorer Flex, REST, or the J2ME Mobile Toolkit to make direct calls to ArcWeb Services. For a comparison of these APIs, see the ArcWeb API chart. You can also access many ArcWeb Services through a standard Web browser via the ArcWeb site and through the ArcGIS Desktop products. There are three types of ArcWeb Services accounts: Commercial, Public, and Students and Educators.
Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) is a W3C specification that allows computers to communicate independently of an operating system or platform by using HTTP and XML. SOAP toolkits let you easily communicate with ArcWeb Services in the language of your choice including Java, .NET, or ColdFusion. With a toolkit, all you need to use ArcWeb Services is authorization to access ArcWeb Services and the WSDL location. The toolkits let you to see the available methods, parameters, and parameter types for each service. More important, the toolkits allow you to send requests in your favorite coding environment. See Using SOAP for more information about using SOAP to access ArcWeb Services.
OpenGIS Location Services (OpenLS) is a protocol that provides access to the Core Services and Abstract Data Types (ADT) that comprise an open location services platform defined by the Open Geospatial Consortium. OpenLS allows seamless access to multiple content repositories and service frameworks that work across many different networks and devices. OpenLS ArcWeb Services support versions 1.0 and 1.1 of the OpenLS Specification. See Using OpenLS for more information on using OpenLS to access ArcWeb Services.
ArcWeb Explorer (AWX) JavaScript API is designed for developers who want to get a working Web-based mapping application up and running without spending a significant amount of time developing code. The ArcWeb Explorer JavaScript API provides access to ArcWeb Services content and a powerful subset of ArcWeb Services functionality. The ArcWeb Explorer JavaScript API is designed primarily to enable easy integration of mapping functionality and content into HTML Web applications. See Using ArcWeb Explorer JavaScript for more information about using ArcWeb Explorer JavaScript API.
ArcWeb Explorer Flex API is designed for developers who want to get a working Web-based mapping application up and running without spending a significant amount of time developing code. The ArcWeb Explorer Flex API allows for easy and powerful ArcWeb integration inside Adobe Flex Builder; it allows developers to easily access all ArcWeb Services, as well as to customize or build applications like ArcWeb Explorer. See the ArcWeb Explorer Developer's Guide for more information about using ArcWeb Explorer Flex API.
Representational State Transfer (REST) is an inherently lightweight and intuitive environment for creating ArcWeb Services maps in Adobe Flash (SWF), Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG), Portable Network Graphics (PNG), and Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPG) formats. The ArcWeb Services implementation of REST takes advantage of vector mapping technology and provides an alternative to the SOAP protocol. Simply send an HTTP request to a URL with the map criteria you want and get back a map in your browser. See REST mapping for more information about using REST to view maps.
The ArcWeb J2ME Mobile Toolkit is an open API to build applications for Java-enabled handheld devices. These applications can send requests for maps, geocoding, routing, address mapping, and searches for nearby locations such as restaurants or banks using ArcWeb Services.
J2ME Mobile Toolkit consists of a Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition (J2ME) toolkit. The J2ME Mobile Toolkit is used to build mobile client applications that seamlessly consume ArcWeb Services and is based on Connected Limited Device Configuration (CLDC) and the Mobile Information Device Profile (MIDP). Applications built using the toolkit will run on devices that support MIDP. Extensible Markup Language (XML)-based services combined with the wireless application platform provide a rich environment for building browser-based applications for Java-enabled handheld devices. See Using J2ME Mobile Toolkit for more information on using J2ME Mobile Toolkit to access ArcWeb Services.
Through the ArcWeb site, you can access information and functionality from many SOAP ArcWeb services such as Account Info, Content Finder, and Data Manager. In addition, the Web site offers a wealth of information, tools, and examples to help you learn about the product, work with data and services, and get support. The site is available over HTTP or HTTPS. See Using the ArcWeb site for more information on using the ArcWeb site to access ArcWeb Services.
ArcGIS Desktop users can access ArcWeb Services through the Add Data dialog box. Users of any ArcGIS Desktop product including ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcMap have easy access to the functionality of Web services while maintaining the features of the ArcGIS Desktop applications, including display and query of maps, creation of publication-quality hard copies, and performance of many other map-based tasks. See Working with ArcWeb Services in ArcGIS Desktop Help for information on using ArcGIS with ArcWeb Services.
NOTE: In ArcMap 9.2, user-created Spatial Query services are supported using Tools > Online Services > Find Nearby Places. See Finding Features and Locations in ArcGIS Desktop Help for details.
ArcWeb Services offer several account types. The most typical is the Commercial Services account. Users developing applications for noncommercial use or for use in an educational environment may be eligible for free access via a Public Services or Students and Educators account.
The ArcWeb Services Commercial Services program is a subscription-based set of Web services mapping APIs for developers needing to easily integrate mapping and GIS functionality and content into custom Web, mobile, or location-based services (LBS) applications. Map data storage, maintenance, and updates are handled by ESRI, eliminating up-front map database, geospatial software, and ongoing maintenance expenses.
Through an ArcWeb Public Services free, one-year subscription, you can access a subset of ArcWeb Services for personal or noncommercial use. Build applications for mapping, routing, geocoding, place finding, and spatial queries through SOAP, REST, OpenLS, ArcWeb Explorer JavaScript, ArcWeb Explorer Flex, or J2ME Mobile Toolkit APIs. See Public Services overview for more information about using Public Services.
ArcWeb Services for Students and Educators is a free program for students, instructors, K–12 schools, colleges, libraries, museums, and nonprofit educational research institutes. Take advantage of a wide selection of ArcWeb Services data (including global imagery, aerial photos, and demographic data) and functionality (such as mapping, routing, and spatial query) to create Web-enabled GIS applications for use in classrooms or research.
The Students and Educators service is available through a one-year subscription and can be accessed via SOAP, REST, OpenLS, ArcWeb Explorer JavaScript, ArcWeb Explorer Flex, or J2ME Mobile Toolkit.
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