In many web application we need to show the users the result of processed data in graphical charts. It will be help you to have a good application that can serve data to user, friendly.

Solve the problem

For this problem we have two ways in web application.

1. Process the chart with data in server and send the image of that process to the client.
2. Send the unprocessed data into the client and the client tool process the chart. It was the recommended web 2 application pattern for solving the chart processes.

In method one we have to sure the image will be shown in the client side but when we use this method for live data the server must process many data in same time for any users and the server will be crashed.

But in method two we reduce much processes in server side and send the unprocessed data into the client that the client scripting tools process the data in SVG, VML, Canvas, Silverlight, and Flash modes. With this method we must have to sure the client browser support that (SVG, VML, Canvas, Silverlight or Flash). When you use this method with AJAX technique you have increase of your performance in you application.

Also with this method if you use the live chart data just the unprocessed data will be update and the chart engine is cached by network and your server is more rest than any.

Available classes and tools

Server process

• jChart
  Java based chart.
• pChart
  PHP based chart with full OOP features for creating most of graphical charting that I like it.
• Open Flash Chart
  Flash based chart system with server process.
• PHPLOT
• PEAR::Image_Graph
• eZ Components Graph
• FusionCharts
• JpGraph
• I hope to complete the Zend_Chart. It will be a great tool in Zend Framework for draw the charts.

Client process

• Dojo Chart
  Dojo charting feature with SVG, VML, Canvas, Silverlight, and Flash support.
  See sitepen tutorial.
• jQuery Chart

Thank to Dylan Schiemann and Ravi for helping me to complete this article.