pChart

pChart

The library used to draw the Anscombe's quartet
Original author(s)	Jean-Damien POGOLOTTI
Initial release	2007; 4 years ago (2007)
Stable release	2.1.2 / August 4, 2011; 2 months ago (2011-08-04)
Development status	active
Written in	PHP
Available in	English
Type	Chart library
License	GPL and commercial
Website	http://www.pchart.net/

pChart^[1] is a popular charting library written in the PHP scripting language. The name "pChart" is an abbreviation of PHP Chart. Available under the [[GPL] license for non commercial applications, pChart can be freely used. Commercial application are covered under a one-time paid software license. License is and will stay free for public research organizations.

pChart is a class oriented Application_framework designed to create anti-aliased charts. This library has been focused on two key axis : quality and speed. pChart is a server side component. The server load can be lowered through the use of the pCache class.

Providing a bunch of mathematical and statistical functions, the pChart library can be used to create eyes candy charts and integrate them into web applications.

This library can also be used as a simple drawing library to build anti-aliased compound pictures or barcodes that can be integrated in documents like PDFs.

History

The first version of pChart has been released on May 21 2008 (1.22 beta). As a very positive user feedback from the internet community has been received, the project started to evolve. Many sub version popped up -staying flagged as beta- implementing features requested by the community. Version 1 of this library ended with the 1.27d version end of 2008. This trunk is now out of support, users are recommended to move the second generation library.

The second version of pChart started to be available end of 2010 with a completely rewritten code allowing deeper objects interactions. This new version faster and most polished as the first one also quickly evolved following user requests and feedback.

This new version has been created around the following ideas :

• Full support of alpha channels for transparency.
• Rendering speed greatly improved.
• Native support for shadows.
• Enhanced axis configuration.
• Barcode drawing functions.
• Open classes concept that allow easy library extensions.

Features

Mixed classes example

Scatter spline chart

As of today the 2nd generation of this library is providing classes functions for the most used charting methods : plot, line, spline, bar, step, splitted stacked, pie, radar, polar, stock, bubble charts. Through the use of class extensions it is also possible to create barcodes (code 39 and 128), spring charts, indicators and surface maps.

It is today possible to add easily new drawing or charting methods through the use of classes inheriting from the core class. This change is the most important introduced by the second generation library.

A sandbox system is provided with the library package allowing quick and easy creation of the PHP source code. Following the community requests, the library is evolving providing more and more inbuilt mathematical computing functions to simplify the writing of PHP scripts.

pChart propose an inbuilt cache system called pCache that can deeply lower the server CPU load while rendering charts by keeping a copy of the rendered one in a local cache. If the chart contents change then the image is re-computed and also saved for future re-use.

pChart is trying to stay on the edge of the PHP charting libraries.

pChart Community

The user community can propose the implementation of new features adding them in a global wish list. They can also find support and help each other on the dedicated library forum.

Some implementation of the pChart library are available over internet^[2] or tutorials^[3][4][5][6]. There is also a port of pChart in the ruby language^[7] and a fork called sebix/pChart.^[8]

External links

• pChart 1.x home
• pChart 2.x home
• pChart 2.x online documentation
• pChart 2.x online help forum

References

1. ^ "pChart a PHP charting library". http://www.pchart.net/. 
2. ^ "integration with kohana". http://forum.kohanaframework.org/discussion/700/use-3rd-party-classes-with-kohana-case1-charts-using-pchart/p1. 
3. ^ "Simple usage example". http://www.fobec.com/CMS/web/php/bibliotheque-pchart-dessiner-jolis-graphiques-sans-flash_1076.html. 
4. ^ "Creating a simple bar chart using pChart Library in PHP". http://www.clickoffline.com/2008/12/creating-a-simple-bar-chart-using-pchart-library-in-php/. 
5. ^ "PHP is Thursday – Graphics in PHP with pChart". http://nyphotocenter.com/php-is-thursday-graphics-in-php-with-pchart.html. 
6. ^ "PHP é a Quinta-Feira – Gráficos em PHP com pChart". http://pplware.sapo.pt/tutoriais/php-a-quinta-feira-graficos-em-php-com-pchart/. 
7. ^ "rChart : a ruby port of the slick pChart charting library". https://github.com/legiar/rchart. 
8. ^ "sebix / pChart". https://github.com/sebix/pChart.