Time for action – exploring OpenLayers options

As the OpenLayers map opens, you will see three icons inside the map. Clicking on the top-left one shows several options to interact with GeoServer WMS. We will now explore some of these options.

1. If you haven't already, select the OpenLayers output option for topp:states; or use the following URL to open the demo:

   http://localhost:8080/geoserver/topp/wms?service=WMS&version=1.1.0&request=GetMap&layers=topp:states&styles=&bbox=-124.73142200000001,24.955967,-66.969849,49.371735&width=780&height=330&srs=EPSG:4326&format=application/openlayers

   Note

   As you can see, the request itself is a GetMap request to the WMS service, so why are you getting a full app and not a plain image? Look at the parameters; there is a format=application/openlayers key-value pair. This makes GeoServer deliver you a full JavaScript app.

2. Change the height to 512 and width to 512 in the URL bar:

   http://localhost:8080/geoserver/topp/wms?service...