Store Map Bounds in DB for Google Maps API v3

Question

Is there anyway to convert the bounds and/or center position to string and send it to the server side by json and store it?

I am asking because when I try to convert these stuff into string; I am getting conversion error from the api?

Answer 1

Use serialize function, for retrieving map bounds and center data, then store it in DB.

function serialize(map){
    var json = '{"bounds":'+map.getBounds().toString() + 
               ',"center":'+map.getCenter().toString()+"}";

    //'toString' returns values in '()', we need to replace them by '[]'
    json = json.replace(/\(/g,"[").replace(/\)/g,"]");
    return json;
}

Use deserialize function, for updating map's state,by stored data:

function deserialize(map, json, useCenter ){
    json = JSON.parse(json);
    if( useCenter ){
        map.setCenter( new google.maps.LatLng(json.center[0],json.center[1]) );
    }else{
        map.fitBounds( new google.maps.LatLngBounds(
                      new google.maps.LatLng(json.bounds[0][0],json.bounds[0][1]),
                      new google.maps.LatLng(json.bounds[1][0],json.bounds[1][1])
                   ) );
    }
}

IMPORTANT: map.fitBounds won't fit to exact bounds of its argument. See this link.