There are 2 ways to provide data

• A single file contains all the data
  • NumberOfSeries is used
  • Each series uses the same x-values
  • The name of the file (or script, or program) is specified in the html page
  • The datafile (query) can be changed via javascript

• Each series is read from a separate file
  • NumberOfFiles is used
  • Each series has its own x-values
  • The filenames are specified in the ini file
  • There is currently no way to change the data via the web page

The time it takes to plot the data depends on the total number of points, not the number of series. If more than 15 seconds pass, Flash terminates and the data will not be displayed.

The data structure (see below) is specified in the ini file.

• Columns are separated by tabs
• The columns are numbered starting with zero
• The data must have at least 2 columns (one tab) - this allows comments and blank lines to be ignored
• The first line n lines (set in the ini file) of the data file are ignored - these are assumed to be column headers and other notes
• Except for the data/time values, all data values are treated as real (floating point) numbers - not integers

Example 1 - 2 columns, Tab delimited

x-value Series 1 --- this line is optionally skipped 295 0.122 296 0.337

date/time - Col 0 Col 1 Col 2 Col 3 ..... 1/7/2008 7:47:23 PM -0.1 29.4 29.4 -0.1 -0.1 27.6 27.6 -0.1

[DataFile] NumberOfSeries = 6	Include either NumberOfSeries or NumberOfFiles, but not both. This may be changed later. Property (not case sensitive) Description NumberOfSeries There are no hardcoded limits on the number of series. I suggest a maximum of about 10 because more will make the legend too large. NumberOfFiles This allows one series per file, takes presidence over NumberOfSeries First_Line Some data files contain 1 or more lines of metadata. This option specifies the first data line - default=0.
[X Series] Column = 0 Type = datetime_am	Use this to specify the type of values used for the x-axis. This value is not case sensitive Type (not case sensitive) Description   The default is to just assign sequential numbers - 1 2 3 ... Any value that does not match one of the following types produces a sequence value Use the data in the specified column datetime Use any of the Flash built-in formats, including 24-hour time, or just a date 1/7/2008 7:47:23 - fails if am or pm is included datetime_am Allows 12- & 24-hour formats, including am & pm 1/7/2008 7:47:23 PM Column is not used if the data comes from multiple files because each file has its own x-values.
[Series 1] Label = Displayed text Column = 2 color = #ff00ff [Series 2] Label = Other text Column = 5	These options are used when there are several series in a single file. There must be as many of these as specified in DataFile / NumberOfSeries. These sections MUST be named Series 1, Series 2, etc. so the program can find them. Property (not case sensitive) Description Label This is displayed in the legend Column Column for the y-data - The first column is zero color Series colors are automatically assigned. This property allows the default to be overridden. ColorType Controls whether the user can control the series color - picker (default), static, none
[Series 1] Label = Description Filename = DataFile_1.txt yColumn = 2 xColumn = 3 color = #ff00ff	These options are used when there is one series per file. There must be as many of these as specified in DataFile / NumberOfFiles. These sections MUST be named Series 1, Series 2, etc. so the program can find them. Property (not case sensitive) Description Label This is displayed in the legend Filename Data file or server program yColumn Column for the y-data xColumn Column for the x-data color Series colors are automatically assigned. This property allows the default to be overridden. ColorType Controls whether the user can control the series color - picker (default), static, none
[Legend] x = 420 y = 50	This simply controls where the legend is placed on the graph. If the values are too large, or less than zero, then the legend will not be displayed. Property (not case sensitive) Description x Location of 1st entry y Location of 1st entry - zero is top, positive down Spacing Number of pixels between entries in the y-direction - 25 (default)
[Slider 1] high = 40 low = 0 value = 30 tickInterval = 10	Each series can have one or more associated sliders that allow the user to modify the Property (not case sensitive) Description high Maximum value low Minimum Value value Where the slider is currently located tickInterval Adds dots to the slider control x Location relative to the associated legend element y Location relative to the associated legend element width How wide to draw the slider type x_Offset, y_Offset, x_Gain, y_Gain, Slope, callback (default) This is under development, currently, only callback is implemented. This means that the sliders are only useful in custom applications. Vert The default is a horizontal slider, any value makes it vertical (not implemented yet) This is not operational yet

Day Mon DD HH:MM:SS TZD YYYY MM/DD/YYYY HH:MM:SS TZD HH:MM:SS TZD Day Mon/DD/YYYY Mon DD YYYY HH:MM:SS TZD Day Mon DD HH:MM:SS TZD YYYY Day DD Mon HH:MM:SS TZD YYYY Mon/DD/YYYY HH:MM:SS TZD YYYY/MM/DD HH:MM:SS TZD

• The am/pm MUST be the last item followed by ONLY spaces and a tab to the next column
• Periods can not be used - a.m. will fail

1/7/2008 7:47:23 1/7/2008 7:47:23 pm 1/7/2008 7:47:23 PM 1/7/2008 7:47:23 aM

• The ability to save user preferences - primarily series colors, but also min and max values for both axes
• log scale control
• Grid labels when zoom is used
• Font sizes

URL: http:// mc-computing.com / WebTools / Generic_mcGraph / Data_Format.html