MapFaces includes application templates, JSF components with Javascript widgets, and a geospatial library for the construction of enterprise class application servers which generate and support web based client applications for the presentation, manipulation, and analysis of geographic data and metadata.

A Library

MapFaces provides a library of JSF components for the construction of web based, geospatial applications. Mapfaces extends the Java Server Faces (JSF) framework and component library through several complex components useful for geospatial applications such as a MapPane for the georeferenced visualization of data, a LayerControl to manage the appearance of data layers in the MapPane, and a TimeLine for the selection of temporal instants or durations. Mapfaces also includes several smaller components which are Javascript widgets coupled to the JSF framework. Mapfaces rests on an enhanced version of the Geotoolkit library which provides geospatial computation and analysis. The section on the MapFaces components discusses these library elements.

A Project

The MapFaces project is working to develop the library by expanding its functionality and adding new components. The project is currently proceeding as an informal collaboration of contributors. Developers interested in participating should see the project pages for more information. MapFaces was started by Geomatys (http://www.geomatys.com/) in order to build increasingly powerful, web based, geographic mapping clients.

Free software!

MapFaces is licensed to all under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License, version 3 or, at the user's option, any later version of the license. The full terms of the license can be read on the GNU web site. These license aims to permit recipients of the software to use the software in any way they choose, encouraging redistribution of the sofware but placing minor restrictions during redistribution to ensure that subsequent recipients enjoy the same rights.