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JAK Java API for KML

The Java API for KML (short: JAK) provides Java interfaces for easy access to KML (Keyhole Markup Language) data.

About this Project

The main goal of the Java API for KML (JAK) is to provide automatically generated full reference implementation of the KML object model defined by OGC's KML standard and Google's GX extensions. It is an object orientated API that enables the convenient and easy use of KML in existing Java environments.

KML is an XML-based language schema that describes and visualizes geographic data. The language is often used in 2D web based maps and 3D virtual globes. Originally developed for Google Earth as a means of maintaining and exchanging geographical data, the language was defined by the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) as a standard in April 2008. So far, many virtual globes, like for example NASA's Earth Wind and Microsoft's Virtual Earth, have adopted the KML language as their data format of choice.

In order to ensure convenient and easy use of KML in existing Java-systems, an object oriented API is necessary. APIs for XML dialects are implemented using two layers. The current official XML schema of KML in conjunction with the JAXB technology is used to generate Java class representations automatically. KML's schema is a document describing the correct syntax of KML files and can, therefore, be used for validating the corresponding KML files. The semantic application layer, which is found on top of the JAXB layer, is abstracted from the raw generated classes and defines a well-shaped API.

This API provides easy out-of-the-box access to KML for the user (resp. the developer). This project created, a Java API for KML (short: JAK) in order to enable this.

Contents

• HelloKML (Quickstart) A short quickstart tutorial.
• JAK's Usage The fluent and convenient side of the Java API for KML
  • KML in the Java world Here, the Java API for KML is presented. Its capabilities and its close relationship to KML is shown.
  • Download & Code Hosting Here you can download all project-related materials:
  • BSD License Short and sweet. Includes legal disclaimer of liability with explicitly named organization.
  • Performance JAK's performance measurements.
  • Examples What would the world be without examples?
  • Advanced Example1 The first slightly more sophisticated example.
  • Advanced Example2 The second slightly more sophisticated example.
  • Advanced Example3 The third slightly more sophisticated example.
  • Advanced Example4 The fourth slightly more sophisticated example.
• JAK's API approach How JAK avoids the Generation Gap.
  • Implementation This is about the implementation details, why things were done as they were, and how several JAXB plugins do all the automatic API creation. (not essential in understanding the usage of the Java API for KML.)
• People Projects are driven by people. Here they are.
• Frequently Asked Questions Have you ever asked yourself what time it is? Me too...
• Roadmap Where we are, where we want to go.

Further reading

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