One useful feature of Google Maps is the ability to generate a static image of any longitude and latitude that you desire, as opposed to using the normal JavaScript-based interactive map. In this article I will show you how to request such static images. We will then combine this technique with the geocoder we created in the article Geocoding with PHP and the Google Maps API.

Smarty is a very powerful template engine for PHP that allows developers to extend its capabilities using custom plug-ins. There are several different types of plug-ins, each of which serves a different purpose. In this article we will look at how the block plug-in type works.

This article takes a look at separating application logic from template logic. We will use the Smarty Template Engine as the basis for the article and its examples.

Many people think of the Smarty Template Engine as a system for separating presentation from application logic. This is indeed true, but many people also only consider Smarty for outputting their web site HTML/XHTML. This brief article goes over other situations where Smarty may be useful in your PHP application.