How To Develop Interactive Map Making Software For Community Building

There are several key steps to developing interactive map-making software for community, neighborhood, and worldbuilding. With technology constantly advancing, mapmakers are able to create more realistic, detailed, and life-like maps of the world around us. Plus, many of the latest mapping applications let users create stunning diagrams of fictional, simulated worlds. Some software is designed for convenient sharing, while others are built for easy navigation and seamless interactivity.

As a geography-savvy developer, you should understand the unique process of building mapping solutions. After all, you’ll need to handle system design, testing, and even content creation. This way, you can develop your first software product with confidence, process knowledge, and technical expertise.

Specify The Required Features

Before you start coding your map-making software, think about all the required features. If you are building a real-world mapping application, it must recognize all the local cities, roads, highway networks, and public transportation facilities of your target audience. Also, it should be able to calculate walking routes, biking directions, or no-toll navigation options.

Or, you may be looking to develop a fantasy map-making software solution. In this case, your application will primarily be used by video game designers and engineers. These media professionals rely on this software to develop simulated playing environments for their gaming products. Indeed, specify all the required features when developing map-making software for community building.

Configure Your Technology Stack

Next, configure your mapping software development stack with the latest tools, programming resources, and supporting technologies. Today’s dev teams use a wide variety of tools for version control, data security, and image containerization.

When setting up your technology stack, prioritize cloud-native and nimble solutions. For example, the JFrog Platform meets all the compliance requirements for Cloud native DevOps success. In fact, these resources allow you to run in any cloud environment – whether it be private or public. Plus, JFrog solutions help you maintain a consistent security posture and support transparent cloud migration. Certainly, configure your tech stack with the latest tools for mapping software development.

Integrate Mapping Solutions

Now, you are ready to integrate some powerful map-making solutions, plugins, and platforms. Using pre-made mapping tools will make the end-to-end development process far easier. Otherwise, you’ll need to code these specific functions on your own.

Pre-made plugins offer ready-built map color schemes, interactive navigation, and search engine integration. Plus, these tools support shortcode management, CSS additions, and JS customizations. Some solutions even let users cluster, filter, import, and style droppable location pins. Surely, integrate third-party solutions to develop your own map-making software in 2022.

Test The Software

At this point, it is time to test the map-making software thoroughly. Start off by analyzing requirements from your software design document (SDD). Use all of this information to draft a clear testing plan and overall strategy. Then, you can start writing actionable test plans that cover all your functional requirements.

Before execution, have all these different scenarios reviewed by quality assurance (QA) managers. Once approved, you can start executing cases to identify any bugs, defects, errors, or issues. With in-depth testing protocols, you can inspire user confidence, avoid catastrophic operational emergencies, and prevent post-deployment performance issues. Software testing is a critical step when building map-making applications.

Plan Your Release Management Process

Once you are confident, you can start planning your release management process. During this stage, you need to think about the deadlines, delivery requirements, and release dates of the overall project. You should also determine whether or not you will run a “soft launch.” This is when your software is published but not announced to the general public. During this time, you’ll have the opportunity to conduct further user acceptance testing (UAT) and other final checks.

Plan your release management process to get your map-making software live and deployed.

There are several key steps to developing interactive map-making software for community and worldbuilding. First and foremost, outline all the required features your software will contain. Next, configure your tech stack with all the latest tools, resources, and solutions. During this process, prioritize powerful technologies that meet enterprise cloud computing requirements.

Now, you are ready to integrate trusted mapping solutions. At this point, it is time to test your custom software product thoroughly. After all your work, you can finally start planning your release management process. Follow the points highlighted above to learn how to develop interactive map-making software for community building.