I have a page where i keep getting data from a database periodically. That data is depicted as a graph. At each period, i want to update the graph with new data. Meaning that i dont want to replace the old graph, but extend it. For example,im using a line chart which is currently displaying. When new data comes in, i want the lines in the chart to extend to represent the new data, but the previous lines should remain as-is. Which JavaScript graphing API can provide this functionality ? Is it possible with Google Charts ?
Share
Well, whether you like it or not, you’re in the middle of writing a real-time web application process 😀
Here are your solutions:
Pure javascript
I highly recommend using APE library. as I said multiple times before, it’s a robust framework for developing real-time web apps.
Another great solution is HTML5’s websockets. it’s awesome but not cross-browser.
You may send an AJAX request to your server periodically to check whether any updates are available for your data or not.
Using third party plugins
The easiest and the most common solution is Adobe Flash’s
XMLSocketAPIs.You may use Silverlight too, but you know, it doesn’t worth it (development time I meant).
EDIT:
Oh, almost forgot to say, this style of programming (updating data without user’s interaction/awareness) is called Comet programming, so if you need a keyword to search further on this subject use this one.