Maps

Exmap uses maps as calculation units, like spreadsheet applications use cells. Functions and formulas use maps as parameters and return maps.

A map is an associative array, which binds keys to values. Some example of maps, showing different properties (values) of animals (keys):

In this example, the maps describe the typical weight of various amimals, the number of animals in an area, the sound that they emit. In these cases the keys are always the same (animals) but the values are different.

Maps can have different origins:

• With their content stored on the server as files. They can be created and edited using the map editor.
• Coming from external sources (databases, external applications).
• Results of calculations.

Maps' keys are always texts. Maps' values can be:

• decimal numbers (double)
• integer numbers (int)
• texts (strings)
• boolean values (bool)
• dates (datetime)

In the examples the Sound map has string values, the other maps have int values.