Research: Charting Libraries

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Research: Charting Libraries for a Scalable and Customizable UI

As we embark on the journey of migrating the charts and functionality of Metrics -> Feeder, it's essential to choose a charting library that meets our requirements and provides a seamless user experience. In this article, we'll delve into the key factors to consider when selecting a charting library, explore the main things to look for, and outline a research plan to help us make an informed decision.

Key Factors to Consider

When evaluating charting libraries, there are several key factors to consider. These include:

  • Style: A charting library's style is crucial in determining the overall aesthetic of our application. We need a library that provides a clean, modern, and customizable design that aligns with our brand identity.
  • Rails Importmaps: Our application is built using Rails, and we need a charting library that integrates seamlessly with Rails importmaps. This ensures that our application remains efficient and easy to maintain.
  • UI Coverage: The charting library should cover the UI in our designs, providing a consistent and cohesive user experience.
  • Mapping Component: Depending on our requirements, we may need a mapping component or a separate library for that. We'll need to consider this factor when evaluating charting libraries.
  • Free for Nonprofit Use: As a nonprofit organization, we need to ensure that the charting library we choose is free for our use.
  • Hotwire Integration: We have the option to use Hotwire (frames/streams) or go the JavaScript route. We'll need to consider this factor when evaluating charting libraries.

Research Plan

To make an informed decision, we'll follow a structured research plan:

  1. List Possible Frameworks/Libraries: We'll create a list of possible charting libraries that meet our requirements.
  2. Audit Documentation: We'll audit the documentation of each library to ensure it meets our criteria.
  3. Whittle Down Options: We'll narrow down our options to a few libraries that meet our requirements.
  4. Install and Demo: We'll install each library in a WIP feeder PR (or a new Rails application) and create demo pages charting fake data or loading data from Castle API or Clickhouse.
  5. Compare and Evaluate: We'll compare and evaluate each library based on our requirements, including page transitions and chart redraws.

Charting Library Options

Some popular charting libraries that we'll consider include:

  • Highcharts: Although we're looking to move away from Highcharts, we'll still evaluate its features and performance.
  • Chart.js: A popular JavaScript charting library that provides a wide range of chart types and customization options.
  • D3.js: A powerful JavaScript library for producing dynamic, interactive data visualizations in web browsers.
  • Plotly: A popular charting library that provides a wide range of chart types and customization options.
  • ECharts: A popular charting library that provides a wide range of chart types and customization options.

Why We Shouldn't Stick with Highcharts

While Highcharts is a popular charting library, we should consider moving away from it due to the following reasons:

  • Limited Customization: Highcharts provides limited customization options, which may not meet our requirements.
  • Performance Issues: Highcharts may experience performance issues with large datasets, which could impact our application's performance.
  • Outdated Design: Highcharts' design may be outdated, which could impact our application's overall aesthetic.

Conclusion

Choosing the right charting library is crucial in determining the success of our application. By considering the key factors, evaluating charting library options, and following a structured research plan, we can make an informed decision that meets our requirements and provides a seamless user experience.

Future Work

Once we've selected a charting library, we'll need to:

  • Implement the Library: We'll implement the chosen library in our application, ensuring seamless integration with Rails importmaps and Hotwire.
  • Customize the Library: We'll customize the library to meet our requirements, including styling and UI coverage.
  • Test and Evaluate: We'll test and evaluate the library to ensure it meets our requirements and provides a seamless user experience.

By following this research plan and considering the key factors, we can choose a charting library that meets our requirements and provides a scalable and customizable UI for our application.
Q&A: Charting Libraries for a Scalable and Customizable UI

In our previous article, we explored the key factors to consider when selecting a charting library and outlined a research plan to help us make an informed decision. In this article, we'll answer some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about charting libraries and provide additional insights to help you make a decision.

Q: What are the benefits of using a charting library?

A: Using a charting library provides several benefits, including:

  • Improved performance: Charting libraries are optimized for performance, ensuring that your application's charts and graphs load quickly and efficiently.
  • Customization: Charting libraries provide a wide range of customization options, allowing you to tailor the look and feel of your charts and graphs to meet your application's requirements.
  • Ease of use: Charting libraries are often easy to use, with intuitive APIs and documentation that make it simple to integrate charts and graphs into your application.
  • Scalability: Charting libraries are designed to handle large datasets and complex charting requirements, making them ideal for applications with high traffic or complex data visualizations.

Q: What are the main differences between popular charting libraries?

A: The main differences between popular charting libraries include:

  • Chart types: Each library provides a unique set of chart types, including line charts, bar charts, pie charts, and more.
  • Customization options: Each library offers a different level of customization, including options for styling, layout, and interactivity.
  • Performance: Each library has its own performance characteristics, including rendering speed and data handling capabilities.
  • Integration: Each library has its own integration requirements, including support for popular frameworks and libraries.

Q: How do I choose the right charting library for my application?

A: To choose the right charting library for your application, consider the following factors:

  • Requirements: Identify the specific charting requirements of your application, including chart types, customization options, and performance requirements.
  • Integration: Consider the integration requirements of your application, including support for popular frameworks and libraries.
  • Performance: Evaluate the performance characteristics of each library, including rendering speed and data handling capabilities.
  • Customization: Consider the level of customization offered by each library, including options for styling, layout, and interactivity.

Q: What are some popular charting libraries for web applications?

A: Some popular charting libraries for web applications include:

  • Chart.js: A popular JavaScript charting library that provides a wide range of chart types and customization options.
  • D3.js: A powerful JavaScript library for producing dynamic, interactive data visualizations in web browsers.
  • Plotly: A popular charting library that provides a wide range of chart types and customization options.
  • ECharts: A popular charting library that provides a wide range of chart types and customization options.

Q: How do I integrate a charting library into my web application?

A: To integrate a charting library into your web application, follow these steps:

  • Choose a library: Select a charting library that meets your application's requirements.
  • Install the library: Install the library using a package manager or by including the library's script in your HTML file.
  • Create a chart: Create a chart using the library's API, including specifying the chart type, data, and customization options.
  • Render the chart: Render the chart in your web application, using the library's rendering capabilities.

Q: What are some best practices for using charting libraries?

A: Some best practices for using charting libraries include:

  • Use a consistent design: Use a consistent design throughout your application to ensure a cohesive user experience.
  • Optimize performance: Optimize performance by using efficient data handling and rendering techniques.
  • Test thoroughly: Test your application thoroughly to ensure that the charting library is working correctly.
  • Document your code: Document your code to ensure that others can understand and maintain your application.

By following these best practices and considering the factors outlined above, you can choose the right charting library for your web application and create a scalable and customizable UI that meets your requirements.