Advanced Graph and Chart Software PHP

Included Data Function

The graphing software will allow you to write your own data functions which are then dynamically included at runtime. As with the external data script method this allows data to be acquired in real time from any source including databases, spreadsheets etc.

An advantage of this method is that all $_REQUEST and $_SESSION variables are available for use within the function at runtime. This allows data to be dynamically selected based upon data stored by your application in the session or sent on the request object.

Vertical Cylinder Graph, utilising an included data function

Here is the IMG tag which invokes the graphing software which dynamically creates the graph image at page load time.

<img src="../../graph/vertical-cylinder-graph.php?
datascript=../demo/examples/data/dataFunction.php&
config=../demo/examples/data/configFile.txt"
width=700
height=400 />

Here we tell the software to load the configuration options from the file configFile.txt and include the data function dataFunction.php (code below)

/*
 * The graphing software will look for a function named datascript()
 * at runtime. If found the graph will call this to acquire the 
 * graph data.
 */
function datascript () {

	/*
	 * Create the Data Array
	 * 
	 * We are using a prepopulated array here for simplicity.
	 * However this method would be used to first acquire data 
	 * from databases, ORM, spreadsheets etc. 
	 * 
	 */
	$dataArray = array('series1' => array(500,   750, 1250, 4300),
	                   'series2' => array(2000, 2100, 2600, 2400),
	                   'series3' => array(8300, 7400, 6200, 3200));
	
	/*
	 * Convert the data into the array format required 
	 * by the graphing software
	 * 
	 * The format required is a one dimensional array 
	 * which contains a text for each line of data.
	 * 
	 */
	$dataLines = array();
	
	/*
	 * write out the data in the format required for the graphing software
	 */
	foreach ($dataArray['series1'] as $dataIndex => $dataValue)
	{
		$dataLines[] = 'data' . ($dataIndex+1) . 'series1: ' . $dataValue;
	}
	
	foreach ($dataArray['series2'] as $dataIndex => $dataValue)
	{
		$dataLines[] = 'data' . ($dataIndex+1) . 'series2: ' . $dataValue;
	}
	
	foreach ($dataArray['series3'] as $dataIndex => $dataValue)
	{
		$dataLines[] = 'data' . ($dataIndex+1) . 'series3: ' . $dataValue;
	}
	
	
	/*
	 * return the $dataLines array to the 
	 * graphing software
	 */
    return $dataLines;
}

Note: if a closing PHP tag (?>)is added at the end of the data function file then it is vital that no characters appear after that tag. If even a space character exists then the graphing image will not be produced. It is recommend that the closing PHP tag is omitted.

Note: the URLs supplied for both the configuration and data are relative URLs. The URLs are relative to the location of the graphing software and NOT this page.

If the graph does not display then see the Troubleshooting guide for details on how to resolve the problem.

Advanced Graph and Chart Software PHP

Included Data Function

Examples

Basic Chart Styles

Bar Graphs

Cylinder Charts

Combination Charts