🔧 Extending PyMapGIS

Content Outline

Comprehensive guide to extending PyMapGIS with custom functionality:

1. Extension Philosophy

• Extension design principles
• Backward compatibility considerations
• API stability and versioning
• Community contribution guidelines
• Extension best practices

2. Extension Types

• Data Source Extensions: Custom data source plugins
• Operation Extensions: New spatial operations
• Visualization Extensions: Custom mapping backends
• Format Extensions: New file format support
• Service Extensions: Custom web service types
• Authentication Extensions: Custom auth providers

3. Plugin Development Framework

• Plugin architecture overview
• Base classes and interfaces
• Plugin registration mechanisms
• Configuration and settings
• Testing and validation

4. Data Source Plugin Development

• DataSourcePlugin interface implementation
• URL scheme handling
• Authentication integration
• Caching support
• Error handling strategies

5. Custom Operations

• Vector operation development
• Raster operation development
• Accessor method integration
• Performance optimization
• Documentation requirements

6. Visualization Extensions

• Custom mapping backends
• Styling engine development
• Export format support
• Interactive widget development
• Performance considerations

7. Format Handler Development

• Format detection implementation
• Reading and writing support
• Metadata extraction
• Error handling
• Performance optimization

8. Service Extensions

• Custom service type development
• FastAPI integration
• Authentication and authorization
• Performance optimization
• Documentation and testing

9. Testing Extensions

• Extension testing framework
• Unit testing strategies
• Integration testing
• Performance testing
• Compatibility testing

10. Documentation and Examples

• Extension documentation requirements
• Example development
• Tutorial creation
• API reference generation
• Community contribution

11. Distribution and Packaging

• Extension packaging standards
• PyPI distribution
• Version management
• Dependency handling
• License considerations

12. Community and Support

• Extension review process
• Community guidelines
• Support and maintenance
• Contribution recognition
• Ecosystem development

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This guide will provide step-by-step instructions for extending PyMapGIS with custom functionality, including examples, templates, and best practices.