Visualizing map data with mapviewer

Question

Hello. I have successfully deployed mapviewer using oc4j standalone. What I want to do now is to visualize maps based on data from tables I have in my database. I have successfully added a datasource using the admin tools on the http://localhost:8888/mapviewer/ site as I am getting the following response:
<?xml version="1.0" ?>
- <non_map_response>
<add_data_source succeed="true" />
</non_map_response>
How can I visualize this data in a map format? Is mapviewer simply a middle tier application or is there some way I can view the data like in an applet?

Answer 1

This also relates to your subsequent post on visualizing data with the Map Definition Tool.
As Justin suggested, use the 9.0.4 preview version if you're getting started with MapViewer. And use the demo JSPs to do some basic visualization.
Assuming your database version is 9.2.x.x do the following (if the database version is 8i or 9.0.1.x then you need to install some views. See section 1.4.2.3 in the doc for the steps and where to locate the sql scripts):
1. Install the demo data (in mvdemo.dmp), and
2. Use the demo JSPs mapinit.jsp or mapclient.jsp to view the demo data as a map.
The doc (section 1.6) explains how to do this.
Now for the map def tool.
That is only for setting up symbology, styling rules, and specifying which themes make up a map. It does not render the maps.
To simply view your spatial data without any fancy styling and symbology (e.g. to test that Mapviewer works and your data is valid) use the jview demo jsp.
Hope this helps. If it does not, complain.