MBR based calculations in Spatial Extensions in MySQL

[Puneet Bhasin]

Hi,

I am trying to perform location based search using Spatial Extensions in MySQL.
I have defined maps of various places (districts) using POLYGON datatype.

Now, I am trying to run queries to find out whether a particular co-ordinate location lies within the polygon or outside it i.e. to find out whether a place lies within the district or outside.

The Problem:
I have found that mySQL spatial extensions support only MBR based functions, which sometimes results in place being shown inside a districts even if it is quite far. this happens especially when the shape of the district is longist and inclined at 45 degrees.

Please let me know if someone has a workaround this. Or if there is a totally new approach to make this work.

PS: I have never done anything in GIS earlier. This is only my second day of playing with something related to spatial geometries. So, please try to reply in words which would be easier to understand for a person of my experience.

Many Thanks
Puneet