deegree is a Java Framework product for the implementation of local and web based GIS applications. Its interfaces and architecture guarantee optimized interoperability due to the standards of the OGC (Open GIS Consortium). deegree is available as an open source project at www.deegree.org under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License since August 2002.
deegree's Web Map Server (WMS) is able to dynamically integrate geospatial data (points, lines, polygons, image data) from different sources in a single map and deliver this map to desktop and handheld personal computers. The deegree WMS is the official reference implementation of the OGC WMS 1.1.1 specification.
Besides a WMS, deegree comprises a Web Coverage Service and a Web Feature Service (WFS) based on the Web Feature Service Implementation Specification 1.0.0 and the Web Coverage Service (WCS) discussion paper. These are directly linked to deegree’s WMS as they are used as data sources. To be able to use the full set of opportunities the deegree WMS offers you should read the deegree WFS and WCS documentation.
Implementations of the OGC Web Services Stateless Catalog Profile (Web Catalog Service, WCaS), Gazetteer profile of the Web Feature Service Implementation Specification (WFS-G), Web Terrain Service (WTS) and Web Coordinate Transformation Service (WCTS) are also part of deegree but not directly used in conjunction with its WMS, although the same classes used for WCTS are included in WMS for transformation of coordinate reference systems.
deegree’s Web Map Server is very flexible concerning the possibilities of configuration, the adaptation to different data sources and formats, layouts and server environments. The configuration of WMS, WCS and WFS takes place by customizing different XML files that control the functionality of the deegree server.
The web services of deegree are realized as Java servlets, in case of WMS there is one general WMS servlet and a special servlet for legend graphic requests (described in Chapter 5). This servlet has to be integrated in the respective web server. Most of the common web servers support servlet technology, so degree is not limited to special products. The Apache-Tomcat (4.x) Servlet-Engine is recommended due to the widespread of installations and the status as open-source product.