How to Add Dynamically Generated Graphs and Charts to Web Pages and Applications
not so long ago, a graph or chart to a web page or
application requires a lot of knowledge and programming
was quite time consuming, even for the experienced. However
with the tools available today it is possible, almost all
, to graphs and charts to Web pages. With only a little
HTML, dynamically generated graphs and charts can be added
Web pages and /or applications.
Why graphs and charts
This website is about providing information. Today's users
usually in a hurry and require that information is
them clearly and quickly. If your site has a message to
, which are currently classified as a table of numbers,
, then it is very likely that you use it,
graphic and charting functions. With a table of figures
Most people find it difficult to recognize immediately the significance, but
, if these figures as an image (eg a graphic), then
immediately almost all the point. What's more, the
your data graphically is colorful and adds a touch
of professionalism. People tend to have more confidence in
, if it is a pleasant, clear and
professional manner.
The simple way to make a graph
There are many graphics and charting packages on the market
, which is very fast and easy for you to
graphic images. The time savings in the use a
"out of the box" solution is so large that even the
experienced professionals are familiar with these packages. Furthermore
most graphics packages are very inexpensive.
Before you send a package there are a few things that
check. For example, you simply want to the graphic
image to your visitors or you want a degree of
interaction. for example, certain areas of the graphic clickable
or pop-up data will be displayed when the mouse is over certain
area. Another aspect is the source of the data. Is it
held in the database file or somewhere else. Ideally, you would
want a graphics package that is capable of retrieving the data
directly from the source itself
Which Graphing packages are available
At the time of writing, there are many graphics solutions on the
market the technology in the following categories: -
- Java Applet Graphing Solutions
This type of software, in addition to the standard-
graphical capabilities, including interactive features like clickable link area and
mouse - through pop-up displays.
These solutions can be on any Web server without
-server configuration or set-up.- Java Servlet Graphing Solutions
These solutions are powerful server side functionality.
although probably not for the beginner they are very useful for
"Web Application Developer.-
Flash Graphing Solutions The Flash environment provides some very sophisticated graphics capabilities,
, which leads to some of the best graphics
-solutions. Unfortunately, the technology is
can only work if the user flash installed
browser. Although an increasing number of
, there is still a very high percentage of browsers that can not view Flash content
.-
PHP Graphing Solutions These are probably the easiest solutions to use and implement
. With these solutions, it is possible that a beginner
, to the graphical representation of functions to their Web site
and applications. But make no mistake they are also very powerful,
has very good graphical results.
Most Web servers can now use this software without additional configuration
.-
ASP.NET Graphing Solutions These solutions offer some very good graphical results.
At the time of writing the number of Web servers in a position
is running these packages is far less than the other categories
.
create a graph
With the right software package to add a graphic to
Web page with little more than the following: --
1) Insert a small piece of HTML into your web page.
(usually the code is made available and all you have to do is "Copy and Paste")2) Setting some values in a configuration file
(for example, setting things like color graphics and titles etc.)3) Setting some values to say where the picture to the data from
This is fairly straight forward sometimes a problem can
will be met. A major advantage of using a good professional
-pack is that the help on hand. If you are in any phase
then simply ask for help from the software vendor, a good
always happy to help. Contrary to popular belief, good
software companies answer requests for technical assistance in both a
timely and helpful manner.
About the Author:
Patrick OBrien is the founder and creator of Jpowered.com, a site providing powerful software solutions to web designers and developers.
Authors Website:
http://www.jpowered.comLearn More Links
PHP Graphing Solutions
http://www.jpowered.com/php-scripts/adv-graph-chart/index.htmJava Applet and Servlet Graphing Solutions
http://www.jpowered.com/graph_chart_collection/index.htm
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patrick_O'Brien