Patent attributes
Digital map rendering using dynamically updatable map configuration files is enabled. A map designer creates a map configuration file that specifies customizable attributes of a rendered map and stores the configuration file in a data store, either on the same local network as the map server that will be rendering the map, or at a remote location. The map configuration file can be included on a web page, wiki page, blog, etc. When a client requests a rendered map from the map server, the request specifies the location of the map configuration file to be used in the rendering. The map server retrieves the map configuration file and renders the map in accordance with the settings in the configuration file. The map server returns the rendered map to the client. In such a manner, the developer can modify the map configuration file and immediately effect subsequently rendered maps.