Getting Started with Bing Maps
The following sections will help you get started with Bing Maps application development.
Choose your Bing Maps API
The Bing Maps platform provides multiple API options for your application including an AJAX control, a Silverlight control, an iOS control, REST Services and Spatial Data Services. Use the following table to help you determine which API best suits your needs.
| What do you want to do? | API to Use |
|---|---|
|
“I want to put a static map on my Web page.” |
Get a static map using the Bing Maps REST Services. |
|
“I want an interactive map on my Web page.” |
Load a basic map, set map and view options, and add entities to the map using the Bing Maps AJAX Control, Version 7.0. Add locations and routes using the Bing Maps REST Services. |
|
“I want to create a route and display it on a map.” |
Calculate a route using the Bing Maps REST Services. Use the Directions module of the Bing Maps AJAX Control, Version 7.0 to display a route on an interactive map. Use the Bing Maps REST Services to display the route on a static map. |
|
“I want to geocode an address.” |
Use the Bing Maps REST Services to geocode and reverse-geocode location information. If you have multiple locations that you want to geocode or reverse-geocode, you can use the bulk geocode functionality of the Bing Maps Spatial Data Services Geocode Dataflow. |
|
“I want to develop a mobile map app.” |
Depending on your device type, use the Bing Maps iOS Control (for iPhone development) or the Bing Maps Silverlight Control for Windows Phone (for Windows Phone 7). Use these controls with the Bing Maps REST Services to develop a complete map application. |
|
“I want to use Silverlight.” |
Use the Bing Maps Silverlight Control, or if you are developing a Windows Phone app, use the Bing Maps Silverlight Control for Windows Phone. |
|
“I have my own entity data that I want to query and display on a map.” |
Upload your entity data to a data source using the Bing Spatial Data Services. If you are an enterprise customer, you can use the Bing Maps Account Center to upload and geocode entity data. After uploading your data, you can query the data source using the Bing Spatial Data Services. Display the results on a static map using the Bing Maps REST Services, or on an interactive Bing Maps AJAX Control, Version 7.0 map. |
|
“I want my Web map app to be available to all Bing users.” |
Try out the Bing Map App SDK (Beta). |
|
“I want to upgrade my MapPoint Web Service (MWS) or Multimap application.” |
If you are still using the MapPoint Web Service, migration information and code samples are found at http://www.microsoft.com/maps/mappoint.aspx. If you are still using Multimap, migration information and code samples are found at http://www.microsoft.com/maps/multimap.aspx. |
|
“I want to upgrade my application to use the Bing Maps AJAX 7 Control.” |
If you are using Bing Maps AJAX Control, Version 6.3, upgrade your code to Bing Maps AJAX Control, Version 7.0 using the information provided in the Migrating from Bing Maps AJAX Control 6.3 to 7.0 topic. |
|
“I want to migrate from tokens to Bing Maps Keys.” |
If you are still using tokens, see Migrating from Tokens to Keys to convert your code to use Bing Maps Keys. |
Get a Bing Maps Account
You must have a Bing Maps Account to get a Bing Maps key for your application. More information can be found at Getting a Bing Maps Key. Bing Maps keys are the required authentication method for the Bing Maps AJAX Control 6.3, the Bing Maps Silverlight Control, the Bing Maps iOS Control, the Bing Spatial Data Services, the Bing Maps REST Services, and the Bing Maps SOAP Services.
Develop Your Bing Maps Application
Find resources for your chosen API in the following table and start developing your Bing Maps application.
| Controls and Services Documentation | Applied Technologies | Quick Links | Additional Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Java Script, Web development | |||
|
Java Script, Web development | |||
|
Objective-C, iPhone app development |
| ||
|
Silverlight, .NET Framework, Web development | |||
|
Silverlight, .NET Framework, Windows Phone development |
| ||
|
REST, Web development |
| ||
|
REST, Web development |
| ||
|
SOAP, Web development |
|
Access News and Resources
To keep up to date with the latest Bing Maps news, read the Bing Maps Developer Blog. For help from the Bing Maps community, use the Bing Maps Community Forums.