finding zips around a certin zip code

[Brian Henry]

I need to be able to enter a zip code and say show me all the zip codes or
towns within X number of miles from that entered one... does anyone know of
a soultion or product that can do this? (can even be $ for the product, a
free example on how to do it would be nice through to learn from) thanks!

 

[OpticTygre]

Interesting question. I suppose the first thing you'd have to learn is
exactly how zipcodes work. There's a good explanation at
http://www.zip-codes.com/zip_codes_history.asp. Afterwards, I'd suggest
compiling some kind of zipcode listing dictionary or database (so you
wouldn't be "making up" non-existant zipcodes) and then run searches through
the dictionary based upon the rules of how zip codes work.

-Jason

 

[Dick Grier]

Hi,

Actually, if you install Microsoft MapPoint, you probably could use its API
for this purpose. It has a FindAddressResults, FindPlaceResults and
FindResults objects that have a methods that you can call to locate a ZIP
code (ostensibly to view that area on a map -- however, it is not necessary
to actually display the map to use the API). Then, there are other methods
that can be called (FindPlace, etc.) This certainly can be used to create a
list of all ZIPs within a certain distance of the starting ZIP. I suspect
that it could be used to find City names, too.

I haven't done what you ask. However, there is a good starting point. Go
to www.mp2mag.com and look around (also the microsoft.public.mappoint
newsgroup may be able to help).

Dick

--
Richard Grier (Microsoft Visual Basic MVP)

See www.hardandsoftware.net for contact information.

Author of Visual Basic Programmer's Guide to Serial Communications, 4th
Edition ISBN 1-890422-28-2 (391 pages) published July 2004. See
www.mabry.com/vbpgser4 to order.

 

[Tibby]

I need to be able to enter a zip code and say show me all the zip codes or
towns within X number of miles from that entered one... does anyone know of
a soultion or product that can do this? (can even be $ for the product, a
free example on how to do it would be nice through to learn from) thanks!

USPS used to offer a database solution, then they moved it to a web
service. The way to do it is based off of Lat/Long math. There's a
ton of comercial products, but the one from USPS will also return
Zip+4. It's pretty kewl if you ask me and worth it if you need that
level of functionality.

Tibby

 

[Brian Henry]

we already have a zip code database of existing zips in our database server
with town and stuff... we jsut need a product or service to find near
ones... do you have any names? and where is the USPS web service at? thanks

 

[Gerald Hernandez]

I need to be able to enter a zip code and say show me all the zip codes or
towns within X number of miles from that entered one... does anyone know of
a soultion or product that can do this? (can even be $ for the product, a
free example on how to do it would be nice through to learn from) thanks!

Brian,

Can you give me an idea of what you have already?
Do you already have ZIP code and town info? If so, what format?
Points, polygons, etc.? GDT / TeleAtlas, Navteq, Tiger, etc.?
When you say towns, do you mean strictly incorporated areas or MCD/CCD?
If those acronyms and such don't ring a bell, then describe precisely what
you have and what you need.

I ask, because I specialize in stuff like this and have a rather large
framework for dealing with such things.
But there are proly a dozen different results you could be looking for.
Radius from a point, buffer around polygon, etc.
Plus, ZIP code areas can be quite complex things and vary by region around
the USA. They can also be quite different if you are talking about regions
outside the USA.

Gerald

 

[Jody L. Whitlock]

we already have a zip code database of existing zips in our database
server with town and stuff... we jsut need a product or service to
find near ones... do you have any names? and where is the USPS web
service at? thanks

usps.gov (United States Postal Service)