Is that possible to use map object ( PHP_MapScript ) instead of map file when using the MapServer?

Question

In my previous code, I am using OpenLayers WMS to load a raster data through MapServer. As you can see, the mapserv.exe calls a local map file to load the raster data. I just heard PHP_MapScript, since it can convert a map file into a map object.

Is that possible to use this converted map object directly in OpenLayers WMS? Since the object can be easily modified such as "styling".

localWMS = new OpenLayers.Layer.WMS( "Local WMS layers",
          "http://127.0.0.1/cgi-bin/mapserv.exe?MAP=C:/Users/mapserver.map",
          {layers: 'polygon',transparent: true}, {isBaseLayer: false} );
map.addLayer(localWMS);

Someone who is familiar with PHP_MapScript, I am willing to hear from you.

Answer 1

The answer is no.

Mapscript and the mapfile are executed on the server and they have nothing to do with the OpenLayers client-side JavaScript. What you are requesting with OpenLayers.Layer.WMS is a set of images and metadata and by the time these get to the browser there is not much you can manipulate. Mapscript can be useful if you need to do lots of dynamic or repetitive manipulations on the server side, before the image is generated.