Simple 2d graphing in web page

Simple 2d graphing in web page - where to begin

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James Harris - 29 Jan 2007 01:14 GMT

My Googling has let me down here - maybe because when it comes to Java
I don't really know which type I need! If someone could point me in
the right direction I'd appreciate it.

My requirement is simple: to display a 2-d graph within a web page
where the X and Y values are taken from a database (residing on the
server hosting the web pages). The GUI is to allow panning forwards
and backwards over time (the X values are 32-bit timestamps) and
zooming in and out. That's about it. It would be a bonus if there were
a time display of the cursor position as it is moved over the image.

Java noob question: what /type/ of Java would I need? I see there are
applets, servlets, beans and swing components... oh and Javascript
thrown in to the equation. I don't know where to begin!

I notice that IE warns about the security of some embedded components
but not others. Anyone know what makes the difference?

Is there any existing code that will do the 2-d graphing, as above,
that I could modify? Is there an existing package that will do all of
what I want? It seems a pretty basic requirement.

Lastly, and thanks for staying with me, could you recommend any books
that would provide suitable source code - e.g. a Java or Javascript
cookbook?

--
TIA,
James

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Daniel Pitts - 29 Jan 2007 01:36 GMT

On Jan 28, 5:14 pm, "James Harris" <james.harri...@googlemail.com>
wrote:

> My Googling has let me down here - maybe because when it comes to Java
> I don't really know which type I need! If someone could point me in
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
> TIA,
> James

This really sounds like a good place for a multi-tier solution. You
would have a server or servlet application that access the database,
and a client side application (maybe using Applet or Java Web Start)
that renders the graphs.

It might actually be better to make the front-end a Flash file if you
are more concerned with "pretty rendering" than business logic on the
front end. If the display were more static, you might consider using
a servlet to render it server side, and not worry about client-side
applications.

There are really a lot of options for this. I personally would
probably start with a pure servlet/jsp implementation, which rendered
an html page and a PNG image using java imageio. Mostly because thats
what I already know.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

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James Harris - 29 Jan 2007 02:00 GMT

...

> JamesThis really sounds like a good place for a multi-tier solution. You
> would have a server or servlet application that access the database,
> and a client side application (maybe using Applet or Java Web Start)
> that renders the graphs.

I guess keeping the database with the web server would allow just two
tiers and thus keep it simpler. My overriding goal at the mo! I can
add features later. Never heard of Java Web Start but it sounds
promising.

> It might actually be better to make the front-end a Flash file if you
> are more concerned with "pretty rendering" than business logic on the
> front end. If the display were more static, you might consider using
> a servlet to render it server side, and not worry about client-side
> applications.

All I need is a rectangle and some ways to influence what the
rectangle displays. The simpler the better.

> There are really a lot of options for this. I personally would
> probably start with a pure servlet/jsp implementation, which rendered
> an html page and a PNG image using java imageio. Mostly because thats
> what I already know.

Wow! JSP is another option, then? I guess there are just too many
options. When I wrote some stuff in Java years ago I spent most of the
time looking for and learning how to work with what other people had
written than writing code myself. I guess that's even more the need
now!

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Arne Vajhøj - 29 Jan 2007 02:35 GMT

> I guess keeping the database with the web server would allow just two
> tiers and thus keep it simpler.

Most people would still call it 3 tier, because
it could potentially be on 3 boxes.

Arne

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Andrew Thompson - 29 Jan 2007 06:07 GMT

On Jan 29, 1:00 pm, "James Harris" <james.harri...@googlemail.com>
wrote:

> ...
>
> > JamesThis really sounds like a good place for a multi-tier solution. You
> > would have a server or servlet application that access the database,
> > and a client side application (maybe using Applet or Java Web Start)
> > that renders the graphs.

> I guess keeping the database with the web server would allow just two
> tiers and thus keep it simpler. My overriding goal at the mo! I can
> add features later. Never heard of Java Web Start but it sounds
> promising.

Arne and Lew pointed out the path of JFreeChart and
servlets to produce a web-application that does what
you need, without *any* plug-ins on the client side.

Another path to take is JFreeChart combined with either
applets or a web-start applet/application, as mentioned
by Daniel.

Of the two (web page applet/web-start app.), you will have
far fewer problems with the latter.

The first route requires a Java enabled site, whereas
the second requires the end-user to have a suitbale
Java Plug-In installed.

For some examples of web-start, see..
<http://www.physci.org/jws/>

HTH

Andrew T.

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James Harris - 29 Jan 2007 22:32 GMT

...

> Arne and Lew pointed out the path of JFreeChart and
> servlets to produce a web-application that does what
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> applets or a web-start applet/application, as mentioned
> by Daniel.

JFreeChart looks good, even at the price(!)

> Of the two (web page applet/web-start app.), you will have
> far fewer problems with the latter.

Would there need to be something running on the client to report to
the user the X-value of the mouse pointer. Would that need an applet
or would that be a Javascript function... or would either do? Still
confused... can you tell? I now understand there is no connection
between Java and Javascript (other than a heritage from C) so maybe
either would do.

In my mind there would be an Applet running on the PC (within the
browser) using JDBC to read the database on the webserver. It would
connect under a userid that had read-rights only. If I have to write a
server component also (a servlet?) doesn't that make things more
complex rather than simpler?

> The first route requires a Java enabled site, whereas
> the second requires the end-user to have a suitbale
> Java Plug-In installed.

I thought there was a JVM (is this the same as the Java plug-in you
mention) included with IE, Firefox etc? Or is it that each browser
will interpret Javascript? I'm honestly finding it difficult to work
out how these things hang together so bear with me, and many thanks
for the help.

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Arne Vajhøj - 30 Jan 2007 02:37 GMT

> Arne and Lew pointed out the path of JFreeChart and
> servlets to produce a web-application that does what
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> the second requires the end-user to have a suitbale
> Java Plug-In installed.

I do not quite understand why you think it is less problematic
ti have all users install a java plugin than setting up a
servlet engine.

The server side solution is under your control. The client
side solution is easy to get 80% or 90% maybe even 95%, but
then it can become very problematic. It is not fun to act
as helpdesk on peoples various PC problems to get Java
working.

Arne

Reply to this Message

Andrew Thompson - 30 Jan 2007 03:18 GMT

> > Arne and Lew pointed out the path of JFreeChart and
> > servlets to produce a web-application that does what
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> ti have all users install a java plugin than setting up a
> servlet engine.

I don't. After rereading my words, I can see I was
not very clear.

The 'servlet engine' feeding raw HTML and images
would be easiest in terms of maintenance. Since
it only requires the user to have an 'image enabled'
browser, it should be 'low support'.

If the OP folows the path of supplying a Java
applet or JWS based applet/application, the
easier deployment option is web-start.

Note though, that after reading the OP's latest
response, it seems he is thinking of a more
'active' experience on the user side than can
be delivered with pure HTML and images, and
might need to use JS to achieve the effects
required.

As soon as 'JS' enters the picture, I think that
makes the maintenance (for the end user) to be
higher again, and I would tend to prefer the JWS
option.

Andrew T.

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-Lost - 29 Jan 2007 01:57 GMT

> My requirement is simple: to display a 2-d graph within a web page
> where the X and Y values are taken from a database (residing on the
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> applets, servlets, beans and swing components... oh and Javascript
> thrown in to the equation. I don't know where to begin!

Well, I believe either approach is theoretically possible. I know firsthand I have seen
applets (class files) performing that type of thing here:

http://www.analyzemath.com/Calculators.html

As such, rather than begin learning a slew of DHTML, I would recommend you take this
question to:

comp.lang.java

Also, avoid multiposting. It is lazy (and rude?) and people would respond to you thusly

> I notice that IE warns about the security of some embedded components
> but not others. Anyone know what makes the difference?

After updating to SP2 in Windows XP I get the:

"Internet Explorer has restricted this file from showing active content that could access
your computer."

...whether I am running a JavaScript, a VBScript, ActiveX, or Java applet.

> Is there any existing code that will do the 2-d graphing, as above,
> that I could modify? Is there an existing package that will do all of
> what I want? It seems a pretty basic requirement.

If there is, Google would surely find it for you.

> Lastly, and thanks for staying with me, could you recommend any books
> that would provide suitable source code - e.g. a Java or Javascript
> cookbook?

http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/au/156

David Flanagan's "JavaScript: The Definitive Guide 5th Edition" seems to be the wisest
choice. Had I the money this is the book I would upgrade my 3rd Edition to.

Hope this helps a bit.

-Lost

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Arne Vajhøj - 29 Jan 2007 02:33 GMT

> My Googling has let me down here - maybe because when it comes to Java
> I don't really know which type I need! If someone could point me in
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> that I could modify? Is there an existing package that will do all of
> what I want? It seems a pretty basic requirement.

If you want to use Java, then I would suggest:
* JSP page with IMG tag that refers to a servlet
* the servlet gets the data from the database and
outputs the graphics (I can recommend JFreeChart
for the purpose)

Arne

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Lew - 29 Jan 2007 03:08 GMT

> If you want to use Java, then I would suggest:
> * JSP page with IMG tag that refers to a servlet
> * the servlet gets the data from the database and
> outputs the graphics (I can recommend JFreeChart
> for the purpose)

To elaborate on that excellent suggestion:

A servlet that simply streams the bytes out from an image to the response
OutputStream can act as a URL for <image src="" ...>. For more better finer
you add mime type headers, etc., to the servlet's output.

After perusing <http://www.jfree.org/jfreechart/index.html> I see that
JFreeChart has done this for us.

-Lew

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Simple 2d graphing in web page - where to begin

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