Comparative Study of Data Visualization Tools
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Mukt Shabd Journal ISSN NO : 2347-3150 Comparative Study of Data Visualization Tools [1]Kirti Nilesh Mahajan, [2]Leena Ajay Gokhale [1] Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship Development (IMED), Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed to be University, Pune,[2] Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship Development (IMED), Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed to be University, Pune Abstract—Data visualization is a robust technology that has the power to present large dataset in a graphical format. Significance of data visualization technology is not limited to mere data presentation. It also supports the users in understanding the data and making decisions. Two key goals of data visualization technology are Data Presentation and Data Exploration. There are numerous decision makers who depend upon visualization of data for making several data driven decisions and predictions. Data visualization technology integrates data visualization tool and data visualization technique. While data visualization tool is software which accepts the data, processes it and present it in graphical format, data visualization technique is the way in which this data is graphically presented such as chart, graph or map. Various data visualization tools and techniques are in practice. However, a major challenge for the decision makers is to select an appropriate data visualization tool and technique depending upon the purpose of visualization. The purpose of this research paper is to present the comparative study of data visualization tools and techniques. Index Terms— Data Visualization Techniques, Data Visualization Technology, Data Visualization Tools. I. INTRODUCTION Data visualization technology plays a vital role in the voyage of transforming raw data into graphic based knowledge. This is an appealing way of presenting the information. There is a wide scope for applications of visualizations in business decisions such as predicting market developments, identification of the problem, analyzing customer purchase trends, accurate data analysis, exploring Fig. 1. Data Visualization Technology integrates Tools and Techniques hidden patterns etc. Converting the data in the graphical format with the help of While data visualization tools deal with what is to be precise software is the fundamental need of modern business. selected for visualization and how this selected data will be Visualization tool is an integral part of the data visualization processed further for visualization, data visualization technology. Various data visualization tools are in practice. techniques deal with how this processed data will be These tools have different data visualization techniques such visualized, in what format. The visualization tool allows the as maps, graphs and charts etc. It becomes a major challenge user to select the data to be converted into graphic. Data to select the data visualization tool and technique for the visualization technique allows the user to select the chart decision makers. For this selection, knowledge of different types, the way in which the data will be presented. The user data visualization tools and understanding of their data may choose the chart type that suits the type of data to be visualization techniques is essential the precise requirement visualized. The data is represented by special symbols such as of the user. bars in a Bar Chart or lines in a Line Chart which is known as Comparative study of data visualization tools is based on data visualization technique. format of output, need of coding knowledge and commercial part of the tool. Comparative study of data visualization techniques of charts present some commonly used chart types along with their respective functions and logical design. The purpose of this research paper is to present the comparative study of different data visualization tools and techniques for the decision makers who depend upon the data Fig. 2. Role of Data Visualization Tool and Technique in Data Visualization visualization for numerous data driven decisions and Technology predictions. A. Goals of Data Visualization Technology II. DATA VISUALIZATION TECHNOLOGY Two key goals of data visualization technology are data Data visualization technology is used to make a graphical presentation and data exploration. Data presentation deals representation of any set of data which is stored in a precise with merely displaying the facts and figures that are already manner. Data visualization technology integrates data known to the user. Data exploration deals with finding the visualization tools and techniques. hidden insights from the large dataset. The benefits of both Volume IX, Issue V, MAY/2020 Page No : 6017 Mukt Shabd Journal ISSN NO : 2347-3150 these goals vary and hence the purpose of the data knowledge is essential or not, programming language for visualization should be clear before choosing the data processing of data for creating chart and format of graphical visualization tool and technique. output. While some data visualization tools are free, some are required to be purchased. Some data visualization tools can be used by the user without having the coding knowledge and hence can be useful for non-developers. However, some visualization tools are designed specifically for the developers and hence do not support the user without the coding knowledge. Some programming language is used by these data visualization tools to execute the process of chart. The graphical output may be in different formats such as charts or maps. However, there are some chart types that are commonly used and hence they are supported by most of the data visualization tools. Table I. Comparative study of Data Visualization Tools Factor of Comparison Data Open Coding Process of Format of Visualization Source Knowledge Chart Graphical Tools Output Fig. 3. Goals of Data Visualization Technology Microsoft No No Visual Basic Charts Excel for Applications B. Advantages of Data Visualization Technology (VBA) D3 Yes Yes JavaScript Charts and Advantages of data visualization technology may be Diagrams classified as advantages in visual impact and advantages in Chart.js Yes Yes JavaScript Animated functionality. All these advantages together make this Charts technology a significant and robust. High Chart No Yes JavaScript Interactive Charts Leaflet Yes Yes JavaScript Interactive Maps Dygraphs Yes Yes JavaScript Interactive Charts Fusion Charts No Yes JavaScript Charts and Maps Google Charts Yes Yes JavaScript Interactive Charts Timeline.js Yes No JavaScript Interactive Visual Timelines A. Microsoft Excel Microsoft Excel supports data storage, data analysis and data visualization in single application. The website presents six new chart types that have been introduced in MS Excel 2016, Treemap chart, Sunburst chart, Histogram chart, Box and Whisker chart, Waterfall chart and Funnel chart. [1] Fig. 4. Advantages of Data Visualization Technology Microsoft MS Excel 2016 is compatible with Windows 10, Windows 8.1 and Windows 7. MS Excel also supports further III. DATA VISUALIZATION TOOLS sub types of the charts. Data visualization tool is software which is used to convert B. D3 (Data-Driven Documents) the data into graphical format. These tools follow the D3, Data-Driven Documents or D3.js has a JavaScript fundamental system of accepting the input in the form of large library for visualizing data using web standards. D3 allows data, processing the data received and generating the binding arbitrary data to a Document Object Model (DOM) graphical output such as charts. Each visualization tool may and then applying data-driven transformations to the present the data differently. However, the user may select the document. D3 5+ supports recent browsers, such as Google visualization tool that may fulfill the precise visualization Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari. D3 version 4 and below requirements. The tool must be easy to use, produce the result also support IE 9+. It uses using HTML, SVG, and CSS file efficiently, support multiple types of chart etc. formats. This tool is open source. D3 supports large datasets. This comparative study of data visualization tools is based It is good for the developers as it is essential to have coding on four factors, open source or commercial software, coding knowledge for using this software. It is not suitable for 3D Volume IX, Issue V, MAY/2020 Page No : 6018 Mukt Shabd Journal ISSN NO : 2347-3150 data. [2] charts for commercial purpose, the licensed copy has to be purchased by the user. [7] C. Chart.js Chart.js is a computer based data visualization tool which H. Google Charts uses JavaScript. It has animated charts. Chart.js can be used Google Chart supports a wide range of charts. This data with ES6 modules, plain JavaScript and module loaders. This visualization tool has the collection of interactive charts. It is tool supports the modern browsers like IE9. It is good for written in JavaScript. The charts are drawn using SVG small projects. It uses HTML5 canvas element for rendering (Scalable Vector Graphics) in standard browsers like Google charts. This is an open source tool. However, it requires Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Internet Explorer. Google charts coding knowledge and hence is good for the developers. It is can be used to enhance web applications by adding interactive good for small projects. [3] charts. Various chart types such as area, bar, bubble, calendar, column, combo, donut, gauge, line can be drawn by using this D. High Chart tool. The tool allows to make the customized charts as well. High Chart support the developers to create interactive Google chart display tooltips when the user hovers over the charts for the websites. The tool uses JavaScript for data. It is developed for the websites and mobile devices. This developing the charts. The licensed copy of the application tool is open source. It connects to the data in real time. This has to be bought for the commercial purpose and the free tool requires coding and is made for the developers. [8] version is available for non-commercial use. Interactive, I. Timeline.js mobile-optimized charts can be added to the web and mobile By using this tool interactive visual timelines can be projects.