Mapserver

What is Mapserver?

MapServer is an open-source platform that enables the publication of spatial data and interactive mapping applications on the web. Developed in the mid-1990s at the University of Minnesota, MapServer operates on all major platforms, including Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X, and is released under an MIT-style license. The MapServer Project Steering Committee (PSC), sanctioned by OSGeo, oversees and administers the project, which is maintained, enhanced, and supported by a global community of developers. While MapServer is not a full-featured GIS system, it provides a robust and flexible framework for delivering geospatial content and interactive mapping capabilities to a wide range of users and applications

Highlights

• Cross-platform compatibility: Supports Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X operating systems
• Open-source licensing: Released under an MIT-style license, allowing for flexibility and customization
• Community-driven development: Maintained and improved by a global network of developers
• Focused on spatial data publishing and interactive mapping: Specializes in delivering geospatial content and interactive mapping functionality to web applications
• Not a full-featured GIS system: Provides a streamlined platform for geospatial data publishing and visualization, without the complexities of a comprehensive GIS solution