Home > Articles > Mobile Application Development & Programming > HTML5 & Web Standards

Graphing with ColdFusion

📄 Contents

  1. Using <CFGRAPHDATA>
  2. Interactive Graphing
In this article, Eben Hewitt examines how you can create compelling graphs from your data using two new ColdFusion tags: <CFGRAPH> and <CFGRAPHDATA>.
Like this article? We recommend

Like this article? We recommend

In the past, when ColdFusion developers needed to represent data in a horizontal line graph, they had to dynamically set the width attribute of the HTML <img> tag based on data received from a query. They performed some calculation to keep the image from going out of control and could then "fake" a bar graph, kind of like this:

<!---run a query called GetResponse ---->
<cfset imgwid=GetResponse.recordcount/10>

<!----The width of the bargraph.gif picture, which is a one-pixel-wide plain image, 
   is dynamically set based on the number of answers in the column--->
   
<img src="images/bargraph.gif" width=#imgwid# height=10 
   border=0>

This worked okay. But it wasn't very flexible or scalable, and it wasn't very pretty. The only alternative was to purchase, learn, and integrate third-party add-ons.

A new and exciting feature of ColdFusion 5 is perhaps a result of Allaire's merger with Macromedia in the spring of 2001. The new release not only expands the underlying architecture of ColdFusion by integrating processes with the Java Server JRun, but it has enhanced the presentational power of ColdFusion as well. ColdFusion is now also integrated with an OEM version of the Macromedia Generator server. ColdFusion leverages the power of both of these servers, versions of which install with ColdFusion. With two new ColdFusion tags, <CFGRAPH> and <CFGRAPHDATA>, you can compose bar charts, line charts, and pie charts dynamically. (Note that you must have chosen to install support for CFGRAPH when you installed ColdFusion in order to create graphs.)

In this article, we'll examine how you can create compelling graphs from your data using two new ColdFusion tags. Here are the types of graphs that you can now create:

  • Bar
  • Horizontal
  • Line
  • Area
  • Pie

As you may know, Macromedia Generator is a standalone server whose job it is to produce Flash movies on the fly. Because Generator is Java-based, it uses Macromedia JRun Server as its Java runtime.

You make graphs in ColdFusion 5 using the <CFGRAPH> tag, which encapsulates all of the work for you. The full list of <CFGRAPH> attributes is very long because the tag takes different attributes depending on which type of graph you want to make. We will therefore just reference a few here to get started. See Table 1 for the basic attributes that you need to start working with graphs.

ColdFusion graphs are available in .gif, .jpg, and Flash formats. All you have to do to create a graph in one of these formats is give a different value for the fileFormat attribute of the <CFGRAPH> tag. The default format is Flash.

Table 1 Basic <CFGRAPH> Tag Attributes

Attribute

Description

Value

Type

Specifies the type of graph to create.

Bar, HorizontalBar, Pie, or Line are acceptable values.

Query

The query containing the data to be graphed.

QueryName

ValueColumn

The query column whose values you want to graph.

ColumnName

ItemColumn

The query column containing the description for this data point. This appears on the horizontal axis of bar and line graphs, and in pie charts.

ColumnName


Let's say that we've got a query that returns the names of products and their prices. Note that using <CFGRAPH>, you may graph only integers or real numbers. Therefore, you must convert date-time values or currency values before you can use them. Listing 1 shows the syntax of the <CFGRAPH> tag in conjunction with a query to create a horizontal bar graph.

Listing 1: A Simple Bar Graph

<!---prices and products from database ------->

<cfquery name="getPrices" datasource="CoreStore">
   SELECT ProductName, Price 
   FROM Products;
</cfquery>

<cfgraph type = "horizontalbar"
   query = "getPrices"
   valueColumn = "Price"
   itemColumn = "ProductName"
   title = "Our Products">
</cfgraph>

This graph displays the values of the Price column with the ProductName as the item label. The value of the title attribute is displayed above the graph.

This template is run through ColdFusion, SQL Server, JRun, and Generator and is returned to the browser. The entire process takes about 40 milliseconds. You could create a vertical bar graph in just the same way by specifying Type="bar".

The different types of graphs that ColdFusion makes available are well suited to different needs. For instance, a line graph or an area graph (which is just a line graph with the space colored in) is best for demonstrating change over time. An example that you're likely familiar with is the representation of the stock market in any given day. Bar and horizontal graphs are most often used for comparisons. For instance, you might query your database to find the total number of each product sold in a given month. By casting that data into a bar graph, you can quickly see which are the best and worst performers. Finally, you should choose pie graphs when you want to show percentage parts of a total. This is great for, say, an online poll when you want to show how many respondents chose each answer.

Using <CFGRAPHDATA>

The CFGRAPH tag will accept data only from a database query recordset. Sometimes this is not convenient, however, or it does not serve the needs of your application. For that reason, the CFGRAPHDATA tag was created. This tag is a subtag of the CFGRAPH tag, which means that it can be used only inside a CFGRAPH block, or ColdFusion will throw an error. With the CFGRAPHDATA tag, you can specify a data point to be displayed in your graph. Data point is a term that is not necessarily self-evident, so let's clarify quickly. A data point is a discrete entity represented on a graph. For instance, a bar graph displaying the totals sold each of four different products contains four data points. So, this tag allows you to display data manually.

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020