How to draw a linear map programmatically?

Question

I'm new to GIS programming and I'm using OpenLayers for my GIS project. I want to know how to draw a linear map programmatically between two locations from a real geographical map (may be OpenLayers). I think there should be a projected coordinate system for this. Is there any distance mapping algorithm to accomplish this task?

I do not mean adding a vector layer to an existing map. I want create a separate line map looking at a real geo map (Obviously a path connecting two locations).

Original map

Linear map

Answer 1

I know that asking the questions is easier than read documentation and evaluate examples. Try to read source of http://openlayers.org/dev/examples/vector-features.html first. For futere read http://openlayers.org/dev/examples/ with 'vector' keyword first and books recommended on http://openlayers.org page: 'OpenLayers 2.10 Beginner's Guide' by Erik Hazzard and 'OpenLayers Cookbook' by Antonio Santiago Perez.

Regards

Answer 2

I found a solution using Douglous Peuker algorithm which can be used to reduce the number of vertices with a tolerance factor and generate a simple linear map while maintaining network topology. PostGIS ST_Simplify function has been implemented on top of this algorithm. There 's also an OpenLayers implementation of this.