Comparing and evaluating a built-in Flutterframework map with an external map application
2022 (English)Independent thesis Basic level (degree of Bachelor), 10 credits / 15 HE credits
Student thesis
Abstract [en]
In the process of building a mobile application with a map requirement, developers have the option of either implementing a map within their application or instead using an external map application, e.g., the Google Maps application. Choosing between two options can be hard due to the advantages, disadvantages, and requirements of each map, such as the cost of using the map and the data concerns related to using it. The purpose of this study is broken down into two parts. The first part is to evaluate MapBox, Google Maps, and OpenStreetMap in terms of, e.g., imagery resolution and world coverage.The second part is to evaluate two developed applications using the Flutter framework in terms of, e.g., performance and usage conditions. The first application having a built-in map in comparison to the second application using an external map application, which will be conducted to see the advantages and disadvantages of using each map type. An experimental strategy is used to collect data from documentation and implementation to later be analyzedand then compared.This research resulted in recommending the use of the Google Maps API as an internal map to be used in the implementation based on its imagery quality, world coverage, data verification method, and map accuracy. It also resulted in recommending the use of an external map application such as Google Maps and stating that it was more beneficial due to the pricing, ready-to-use functions, implementation time, usage conditions, and performance. The findings from this study are of value to mobile application developers and can support further knowledge in the fields of developing and using map applications.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2022.
Keywords [en]
Google Maps, Google Maps API, MapBox, OpenStreetMap, Flutter, Application, Maps, Android
National Category
Information Systems
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:du-42046OAI: oai:DiVA.org:du-42046DiVA, id: diva2:1685826
Subject / course
Informatics
2022-08-052022-08-052023-10-03