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Bringing the Power of Java to all Web Applications |
Product Overview | |
The NetCharts suite of Java1 applets has
been developed specifically to provide both Web authors and Java developers
with an easy-to-use
method for including powerful graphics into their applications,
without the need for programming. NetCharts provides the most
commonly used business and scientific charts, including:
As well as the following useful applets and utilities:
All of the NetCharts applets use the same easy-to-learn and easy-to-use syntax to define the various parameters associated with each applet. (See Parameter Definitions for details concerning parameter definitions.) | |
HTML AuthoringHTML authors can quickly include graphics in their HTML presentations simply by adding an applet tag, with a few parameter definitions, to their documents. With over 30 example files provided, Web authors can see the range of possible displays and can easily modify them for their specific needs. NetCharts can be installed and operational on your Web site in less than 30 minutes. |
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User InteractionAll NetCharts charts allow the HTML author or Java developer to specify one or more Active Labels that are automatically displayed when the mouse cursor dwells (or hovers) over a given data region. Such labels can be used to present additional information to the user, such as the exact data value, or to explain something about that particular data region. The developer has complete control over the look-and-feel of the Active Labels through the parameter definitions. |
In addition to displaying a label, the developer can also specify an optional URL associated with each label. If the user clicks the mouse on the Active Label, then NetCharts will automatically retrieve the given URL via its associated Web Server and display the resulting document in the window specified by the developer. For example, users may click on a given bar to display the tabular data associated with it, or they may click on a piechart slice in order to see the break down for that slice, displayed in another barchart or piechart. By chaining one chart with another, the developer can create a Web of charts that allow the user to freely browse any data depository. | |
Since all NetCharts charts allow the use of GIF files as a background image, it is very easy to create an Image Map using an XY chart to display data points on the map. As the user selects a point, an associated Active Label could automatically display information about that location. GIF files representing geographic locations, building layouts, or network topologies can all be processed using the same techniques. (A specialized NetCharts applet is currently being created to make this process easier and even more flexible.) | |
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Integrated Database SupportAll NetCharts applets support the use of the JDBC interface to retrieve parameter definitions or data values from one or more database servers or data sources, including Oracle, Sybase, Informix, Microsoft SQL Server, dBase, Access, Excel, just to name a few. The JDBC interface is completely platform and server independent, providing a wide range of implementation alternatives. The JDBC requires the use of one or more drivers in order to connect to the database server. Such drivers are sold by a wide range of vendors, including all major database vendors and quite a few 3rd party vendors. NetCharts applets can be used with any JDBC-compliant software, allowing the widest range of database applications. |
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CGI Script GenerationWhen static documents don't meet end-user needs, it is common to generate documents dynamically using a range of CGI programming techniques on the Web Server. NetCharts applets can easily fit into such an environment, because all data chart parameters, including data values, can be defined in an HTML document or in a text file accessible via the Web server. A NetChart applet definition can easily be generated by any CGI script, including those that access a database. For example, a PERL script may be used to access the database and to generate an HTML document containing a Piechart. Only a handful of HTML lines are needed to specify the data for the Piechart, the NetCharts Java classes take care of the rest. See Parameter Definitions for more details. | |
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Dynamic UpdatesIncreasingly, HTML documents are being used to provide a user-interface for controlling a system or network. For example, Web applications have been developed to monitor the performance load of multiple servers on a network, displaying that information through a Web browser. In such situations, all NetCharts applets can be configured to automatically connect to a Parameter Server on start-up. |
The Parameter Server can be built using any programming language or script that supports TCP/IP communication. Once connected, the Parameter Server can update any or all of the applet parameters, thereby causing it to update its display at any time. In this way, continuously updated charts can be displayed using a Web browser. The parameter definitions passed between the Parameter Server and the NetCharts applet are in the exact same format as those used in the HTML file, thereby decreasing integration problems. See Parameter Definitions for more details. | |
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JavaScript ControlNetscape Navigator 2 developers who use JavaScript commands and functions to control their Web applications can easily interact with any chart embedded in the HTML document through the loadParams() method that is available for all NetCharts applets. The loadParams() method accepts a text string that consists of one or more parameter definitions. Any number of loadParams() calls can be made and any number of parameters can be defined with each call. Once all parameters have been defined or updated, the "Update" command is sent (via the loadParams() method) to cause the NetCharts applet to redraw the chart. Here again, any NetCharts parameter can be defined or dynamically updated from JavaScript using the same commands used in HTML documents, CGI scripts, or parameter servers. See Parameter Definitions for more details. | |
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Applications and AppletsFor those projects that require either standalone Java applications or custom Java applets, the NetCharts applets and classes can be either embedded without modification in the custom application or applet, or can be extended via the standard object mechanisms. In such cases, the Java programmer can choose between the convenience of the loadParams() interface or the control afforded by accessing the underlying NetCharts classes directly. See Embedded Applets for more details. |
Programmer documentation is provided (with the Developer License) for all NetCharts applets and underlying classes, allowing the Java programmer to use the objects in any way consistent with Java programming practices. A number of examples are also provided to assist novice Java programmers with embedding NetCharts applets into their applications or applets. A few lines of code is all that is needed in most situations. |