given we’d like to feed data to a javascript frontend instead of f.ex let a backend generate an image, it seems D3.js is a good and safe choice.
however, there’s still things to consider – including some tools built on D3, f.ex C3.js, NVD3, dimple.
- C3.js Brings Charting Power Without the Learning Curve
- Speeding Up D3.js: A Checklist
- Is D3.js or Highchart.js better?
“…You can create a simple bar chart to some complex animated data visualizations using D3. And all this without too much effort from your side.”
github.com/mbostock/d3/wiki/Tutorials
- Out of raw d3.js, nvd3.js, cubism, and rickshaw.js, I’ve by far had the best experience with nvd3.
- You can most definitely manipulate C3 charts with D3; they’re all just SVG elements …. TBH, I generally find it easier to use CSS to modify C3 charts.
- so answer:
d3 is all about selecting/appending DOM elements, binding data to them and then manipulating them. After c3 does it’s thing, there is nothing stopping you from selecting on what it generated and modifying it further.
….
If I was you, though, I’d bite the bullet and just learn d3. If you are looking at a plotting library built on top of d3 and saying you need more, your code will be cleaner and more maintainable built from the ground up with straight d3. - Eirik (on my team) seems to prefer D3 bc of performance