How to convert an address to a latitude/longitude?

Question

How would I go about converting an address or city to a latitude/longitude? Are there commercial outfits I can \"rent\" this service from? This would be used in a commercial

Answer 1

Try this: http://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/geocode/json?address=1600+Amphitheatre+Parkway,+Mountain+View,+CA&sensor=false

more info here: http://code.google.com/apis/maps/documentation/geocoding/