DESIGN AND
IMPLEMENTATION OF A WEB CHART SYSTEM USING OPEN FLASH
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0 Introduction
The
world to a large extent depends on the internet which can be referred to as a
gigantic library that makes information available in a quick and easy manner.
The information is accessed via a web-based interface that allows users to
interact with the web pages on a web browser program. The interface which
should give users a sense of satisfaction by producing desired result should be
appealing in a non-distracting way. Managers often depend on data summaries
which are often represented as graphs for decision making. In the past, the
internet servers are relied upon to process heavy data and return the output to
programs like excel or math lab for plotting.
In
this project, we intend to develop a simple framework that plots on the web
page once data has been processed and supplied to the Open Flash Engine. This
will make data processing and display for quick management decision to be
faster, more reliable and on demand. In the chapter we will introduce Flash,
Open Flash and other background issues about the project and clearly specify
our objectives.
1.1 Background of the Study
Flash is an authoring tool for creating interactive interface
which may contain digital media content, including graphics, animation, audio,
video and interactive media. Flash is most commonly used to display animated
and/or interactive content on web pages but it can be used for other
applications as well.AdobeFlash manipulates vector and raster
graphics to provide animation of text, drawings, and still
images.Vector graphics is the use of points, lines, curves, shapes, and
polygons which are all mathematical expressions to represent images in computer
graphics. Flash’s vector feature allows files to be packed down into very tiny
sizes which loads fast on the web page and it also makes images crisp without
losing detail when given a high level of magnification thereby making it
resolution independent unlike its raster graphics counterpart that saves
millions of dots to represent an image that appears jagged when scaled up
because of its resolution dependency. It
supports bidirectional streaming
of audio and video, and it can capture user input via
mouse, keyboard, microphone, and camera. Flash
files are in the SWF format, traditionally called “Flash
movies”, having a .swf file extension and are accessible via Adobe
Flash Player which integrates with web browser programs as plug-in on various
computer systems and devices. Flash has practically no browser
compatibility issue which for the most part, makes Flash movies work the same
way irrespective of the browser program used.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Most web users are confronted with dynamic web-based interface
that can cause frustration due to the time it takes to load on web pages and
also images that appear jagged when scaled up as a result of the heavy use of
raster/bitmap graphics. The lack of drawing canvas on the HTML pages also
complicates the situation.
1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The aim of this study is to develop a web-based interface for
plotting of charts using the open flash chart framework. The objectives
include:
·
To design a
web chart system
·
To develop
an application for drawing charts on web pages.
1.4 Limitations of the Study
The study will be developed for simple charting. Complex charts
and surface charting will not be covered in the project. Users of complex chart
may have to rely on the classical method presently used.
1.5 Significance of the Study
- Enable better analysis and decision making by allowing
comprehensive and free-flowing data exploration. - It provides the ability to spot patterns and trends.
- Increase user satisfaction by enhancing the look of any
application, report, or presentation. - Lower developments cost and speed time-to market.
1.6 Definition of Terms
INTERNET:is a global system of interconnected computer networks.
CHART: a graphical representation of data using symbols.
FLASH: Flash is an authoring tool for creating interactive interface
which may contain digital media content, including graphics, animation, audio,
video and interactive media.
OPEN FLASH
CHART: Open
Flash Chart is an open source Flash-based graphing and charting tool developed
using ActionScript 3 and compiled using Flex.
ANIMATION: a process of creating motion and shape change illusion by means of
the rapid display of a sequence of static images.
FRAMEWORK: a supporting structure around which something
can be built or a system of rules, ideas or beliefs that is used to plan or
decide something.
INTERACTIVITY:is a concept in computing that enables users to enter data or
command and the computer responds accordingly.
USER:a person who uses the computer for work, entertainment business or
communication.
WEB-BROWSER
PROGRAM:a software application for
retrieving, presenting and traversing information resources on the World Wide
Web.
GRAPHICS:are images or visual representation of an object.
RESOLUTION: expresses the number of pixels (individual points of colors)
contained in an image that is displayed on a monitor.
PLUG-IN:is a software component that enables a web browser to display
additional content it was not originally designed to display.