Technical Outline of a W3 Spatial (Decision Support) Prototype

Abstract

The present research focuses on the first software to offer spatial autocorrelation and association measures, spatial exploratory tools, variography and Ordinary Kriging spatial interpolation in the World Wide Web. Exploiting IE® (Internet Explorer), ASP® (Active Server Pages), PHP® (Hypertext Preprocessor) and IIS® (Internet Information Server) capabilities, SAKWeb© (Spatial Autocorrelation and Kriging Web) was designed in an attractive and straightforward way for any GIS user. Hence, this chapter concentrates on the technical development and design of this Internet application. The differences between server and client side techniques are emphasized in the preamble section while the following one discusses the controversial debate between GIS (Geographical Information System) and SDSS (Spatial Decision Support System) concepts. The opening prospect given by the Internet platform is presented in section three. The next section fully reviews the main technological software used for its construction. References are made to their use within SAKWeb©. Some particular capabilities as an end-user were not forgotten, as well. The conclusion section leads to some future hints regarding its potential.