Advanced Graph and Chart Software PHP

Database Interface Script

Here the graphing software is instructed to dynamically call at runtime a custom data script.

This method allows you to create your own PHP Scripts to produce the data to be graphed. This method can be used to acquire data from a database or any other data source to which your PHP environment has access.

Vertical Bar Graph, Database interface script

The graph above is produced using the "Data Interface Script" method with the following IMG tag:-

<img src="../../graph/vertical-bar-graph.php?
data=../sampleApplication/dataQueries/dataInterfaceScript.php&
config=../sampleApplication/graphConfig/salesByMonthConfig.txt"
width="700"
height="400" />

The graph data is produced by the interface script and read by the graphing software at runtime:-

/sampleApplication/dataQueries/dataInterfaceScript.php

/*
 * perform the query for each series of data
 */

    $dataLines = array();

	/*
	 * Blue Robots
	 */
	$sql = "SELECT SUM(amount) AS monthAmount
			  FROM salesByMonth
			 WHERE saleYear=2008
			   AND product_id = '1'
	      GROUP BY saleMonth
		  ORDER BY saleMonth ";
	$result = mysql_query($sql, $dbLink);
	$dataNum = 1;
	while ( $row = mysql_fetch_array($result,MYSQL_ASSOC) ) {
	        $dataLines[] = "data".$dataNum."series1: ".$row["monthAmount"];
	        $dataNum++;
	}
    mysql_free_result($result);

	/*
	 * Green Robots
	 */
	$sql = "SELECT SUM(amount) AS monthAmount
			  FROM salesByMonth
			 WHERE saleYear=2008
			   AND product_id = '2'
	      GROUP BY saleMonth
		  ORDER BY saleMonth ";
	$result = mysql_query($sql, $dbLink);
	$dataNum = 1;
	while ( $row = mysql_fetch_array($result,MYSQL_ASSOC) ) {
	        $dataLines[] = "data".$dataNum."series2: ".$row["monthAmount"];
	        $dataNum++;
	}
    mysql_free_result($result);

	/*
	 * Red Robots
	 */
	$sql = "SELECT SUM(amount) AS monthAmount
			  FROM salesByMonth
			 WHERE saleYear=2008
			   AND product_id = '3'
	      GROUP BY saleMonth
		  ORDER BY saleMonth ";
	$result = mysql_query($sql, $dbLink);
	$dataNum = 1;
	while ( $row = mysql_fetch_array($result,MYSQL_ASSOC) ) {
	        $dataLines[] = "data".$dataNum."series3: ".$row["monthAmount"];
	        $dataNum++;
	}
    mysql_free_result($result);

	/*
	 * Yellow Robots
	 */
	$sql = "SELECT SUM(amount) AS monthAmount
			  FROM salesByMonth
			 WHERE saleYear=2008
			   AND product_id = '4'
	      GROUP BY saleMonth
		  ORDER BY saleMonth ";
	$result = mysql_query($sql, $dbLink);
	$dataNum = 1;
	while ( $row = mysql_fetch_array($result,MYSQL_ASSOC) ) {
	        $dataLines[] = "data".$dataNum."series4: ".$row["monthAmount"];
	        $dataNum++;
	}
    mysql_free_result($result);

	/*
	 * Output the data lines
	 */
    foreach ($dataLines as $dataLine)
    {
    	print $dataLine . PHP_EOL;
    }

With this method the graphing software calls the interface script at runtime and reads the output of the script in the same way that it would read the data from a flat file. This method allows data to be dynamically produced and plotted in real-time.

The settings and styles are set from the information contained in the file:-

/sampleApplication/graphConfig/salesByMonthConfig.txt

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

If the graph above does display but no data is shown then the most likely cause is that the graph is having trouble connecting to the database server. Ensure that the 'Sample Application' has been set up with the correct DB User credentials.

If you have not yet set up the Sample Application then you can do so here.

Advanced Graph and Chart Software PHP

Database Interface Script

Examples

Basic Chart Styles

Bar Graphs

Cylinder Charts

Combination Charts