Populating a graph with data

This section shows how you can populate an empty graph with data.

Using AddSeries

You use AddSeries to create a series. AddSeries has this syntax:

graphName.AddSeries ( seriesName )

AddSeries returns an integer that identifies the series that was created. The first series is numbered 1, the second is 2, and so on. Typically you use this number as the first argument in other graph functions that manipulate the series.

To create a series named Stellar, code:

int SNum
SNum = gr_1.AddSeries("Stellar")

Using AddData

You use AddData to add data points to a specified series. AddData has this syntax:

graphName.AddData ( seriesNumber, value, categoryLabel )

The first argument to AddData is the number assigned by PocketBuilder to the series. To add two data points to the Stellar series, whose number is stored by the variable SNum (as shown above), code:

gr_1.AddData(SNum, 12, "Q1") // Category is Q1
gr_1.AddData(SNum, 14, "Q2") // Category is Q2

Getting a series number You can use the FindSeries function to determine the number PocketBuilder has assigned to a series. FindSeries returns the series number. This is useful when you write general-purpose functions to manipulate graphs.

An example

Suppose you want to graph quarterly printer sales. Here is a script that populates the graph with data:

gr_1.Reset( All! ) // Resets the graph.

// Create first series and populate with data.

int SNum
SNum = gr_1.AddSeries("Stellar")
gr_1.AddData(SNum, 12, "Q1") // Category is Q1.

gr_1.AddData(SNum, 14, "Q2") // Category is Q2.
gr_1.Adddata(SNum, 18, "Q3") // Category is Q3.
gr_1.AddData(SNum, 25, "Q4") // Category is Q4.

// Create second series and populate with data.
SNum = gr_1.AddSeries("Cosmic")


// Use the same categories as for series 1 so the data
// appears next to the series 1 data.
gr_1.AddData(SNum, 18, "Q1") 
gr_1.AddData(SNum, 24, "Q2") 
gr_1.Adddata(SNum, 38, "Q3")
gr_1.AddData(SNum, 45, "Q4")

// Create third series and populate with data.
SNum = gr_1.AddSeries("Galactic")
gr_1.AddData(SNum, 44, "Q1")
gr_1.AddData(SNum, 44, "Q2")
gr_1.Adddata(SNum, 58, "Q3")
gr_1.AddData(SNum, 65, "Q4")

Figure 7-1shows the resulting graph.

Figure 7-1: Quarterly printer sales

Along the x axis, which represents Q 1 through Q 4, the graph has four series, consisting of three bars per series or quarter. Each bar is shaded differently, according to a legend that runs across the bottom, to represent the data for Stellar, Cosmic, and Galactic.

You can add, modify, and delete data in a graph in a window through graph functions anytime during execution.

For more information

For complete information about each graph function, see the online Help.