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# Inline

Inline features refer to coordinates entered directly into the map file. They are not a file or database format and do not require any DATA or CONNECTION parameters. Instead they use a FEATURE section to define the coordinates.

Inline features can be used to define points, lines and polygons as if taken from an external file. This requires direct entry of coordinate pairs in the map file using a particular syntax.

## Data Access / Connection Method

This is a native MapServer option that doesn’t use any external libraries to support it.

## Map File Example

### Points

- Each FEATURE..END section defines a feature.

- Multiple points can be defined in a FEATURE section. If multiple points are defined in the same layer, they will have the same CLASS settings, e.g. for colours and styles.

- Coordinates are entered in the units set in the layer’s projection. In this case it is assuming the map file projection is using decimal degrees.

    LAYER
      NAME inline_stops
      TYPE POINT
      STATUS DEFAULT
      FEATURE
        POINTS
          72.36 33.82
        END
        TEXT "My House"
      END
      FEATURE
        POINTS
          69.43 35.15
          71.21 37.95
          72.02 38.60
        END
        TEXT "My Stores"
      END
      CLASS
        STYLE
          COLOR 0 0 250
          SYMBOL 'circle'
          SIZE 6
        END
      END
    END

### Lines

Lines are simply a list of points strung together, but the layer must be TYPE LINE instead of TYPE POINT.

    LAYER
      NAME inline_track
      TYPE LINE
      STATUS DEFAULT
      MAXSCALE 10000000
      FEATURE
        POINTS
          72.36 33.82
          70.85 34.32
          69.43 35.15
          70.82 36.08
          70.90 37.05
          71.21 37.95
        END
      END
      CLASS
        STYLE
          COLOR 255 10 0
          SYMBOL 'circle'
          SIZE 2
        END
      END
    END

### Polygons

Polygons are the same as the line example, just a list of points. They require the TYPE POLYGON parameter. Polygons also require the final coordinate pair to be the same as the first, making it a closed polygon.