ArcGIS Online delivers its web services through a service-based architecture. Maps, features, imagery, analysis tools, and shared projects on ArcGIS Online can be retrieved by any device that can make a web request. You can access ArcGIS Online content and services as you develop your own location-based solutions for the web, mobile devices, and desktop apps.
The following are some of the resources you can use to develop your location-based solutions:
- App Builders with little or no coding requirements allow you to design custom apps to store, analyze and share your data. You can create an interactive web app using ArcGIS Instant Apps, or visualize and analyze data using ArcGIS Dashboards. You can combine maps, text, and other content to tell compelling narratives in ArcGIS StoryMaps. Or create immersive web apps using ArcGIS Experience Builder, combining widgets, data, and maps. The app builder you choose depends on the tools and level of customization required, the requirements of the application, and the experience level of your audience.
- ArcGIS API for Python is a modern, clean scripting language developed specifically for GIS analytics, visualization, and portal management. Use it to automate your analytic and administrative workflows and perform repetitive tasks using scripts.
- ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript is designed for building customized location-based apps for most modern platforms.
- ArcGIS REST API allows you to manage users, groups, and items within your ArcGIS Online organization. You can also use ArcGIS REST API to access map, feature, imagery, and analysis services on ArcGIS Online. These include the ready-to-use services published by Esri and hosted services published by you or other organizations.
- Web maps are shareable maps hosted in ArcGIS that can be used across many products. For example, if you create a web map in ArcGIS Pro, your colleague can view and modify it in ArcGIS Online. The web map is written using JavaScript Object Notation (JSON), a text format that can be transferred, stored, or manipulated. All web maps adhere to the web map specification so cross-platform functionality works correctly.
- Web scenes are shareable 3D scenes hosted in ArcGIS that can be used in ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS StoryMaps, apps made with ArcGIS API for JavaScript, and many other products. The web scene specification, written using JSON, standardizes the way ArcGIS displays and shares web scenes.