Google’s mapping API is one of the most-used application interfaces on the web. It’s largely responsible for the recent explosion of map-based mashups. The massive popularity of Google Maps has also given rise to a new word in the web developer’s lexicon — geocodes.

Maps require a latitude and longitude point to plot specific locations. Whenever you’re programming a custom map using Google’s API, you will nee to convert the relevant city name, ZIP code, or address to latitude and longitude points. This process is called geocoding.

Google currently makes the process available via the GClientGeocoder Javascript class. That JavaScript class makes the geocode available immediately to the browser. But sometimes, such on the fly access isn’t enough. We want to store location information for later use. In that case, we need another service to grab the geocodes permanently.

That’s where geocoding via HTTP comes in handy.