Table of Contents

Adding Features Manually Using Mapserver

If you already have a map file working, and you would like to add points, lines, or polygons, you can use the FEATURE object directly in a map file to quickly add an item.

(description from the Mapserver web site)
Defines inline features. You can use inline features when it's not possible (or too much trouble) to create a shapefile. Inline features can also be built via urls or forms. Starts with the keyword FEATURE and terminates with the keyword END. 

FEATURE
     <options, such as POINTS, TEXT, and WKT>
END

POINTS

A set of xy pairs terminated with an END, for example: 

POINTS 1 1 50 50 1 50 1 1 END

* Note that with POLYGON/POLYLINE layers POINTS must start and end with the same point (i.e. close the feature).

TEXT

String to use for labeling this feature.

WKT

A geometry expressed in OpenGIS Well Known Text geometry format. This feature is only supported if MapServer is built with OGR or GEOS support. 

WKT "POLYGON((500 500, 3500 500, 3500 2500, 500 2500, 500 500))"
WKT "POINT(2000 2500)"

example from Mapserver web site

LAYER
NAME inline_stops
TYPE POINT
STATUS DEFAULT
FEATURE
        POINTS
                72.36 33.82
        END
        TEXT "My House"
END
FEATURE
        POINTS
                69.43 35.15
                71.21 37.95
                72.02 38.60
        END
        TEXT "My Stores"
END
CLASS
        COLOR 0 0 250
        SYMBOL 'circle'
        SIZE 6
END
END