Server Side Chart Generation:
Selecting the Right Tool

Server-side chart generation is the creation of a chart image by some server application, and is one of the fastest growing interactive data visualization applications today. The chart image generated is typically incorporated into an HTML page that the server sends to a client web browser.

Server-side chart images are "thin;" that is, they require no code to be executed at the client. These chart images are also reusable, as the server can cache them and quickly deliver them to multiple users.

Server-Side versus Client-Side Chart Generation

Understanding the subtle differences between server-side and client-side chart generation is key to choosing the correct solution.

Server Side		Client-Side
	Chart image (BMP, JPG, PNG) delivered to client		Applet classes & CDL delivered to client
	Deep, robust integration with data sources		Limited integration with data sources
	Limited interactivity: drill-down and mouse-over only		High interactivity: drill-down, pop-up, zoom, scroll, explode
	Consistent performance, only depends on network		Performance strongly dependent on client platform
	No security issues		Java applet security issues

The key difference lies in where the chart rendering engine runs:

Visual Mining's Chart Generation Tools

Server Side Chart Generation		Client-Side Chart Generation
	NetCharts Server Requires minimal programming Java, JSP, ASP, Cold Fusion APIs Dynamic variable replacement (CDX) Built-in database interaction (NDX) Image caching Authentication		NetCharts Server Requires minimal programming Java, JSP, ASP, Cold Fusion APIs Dynamic variable replacement (CDX) Built-in database interaction (NDX) Image caching Authentication
	NetCharts Pro Very flexible solution Robust programmers' API		NetCharts Pro Very flexible solution Robust programmers' API
			NetCharts Applets

See more about Server-Side Image Generation:
Part 2: Using NetCharts® Pro for Server-Side Chart Generation

Part 3: Using NetCharts® Server for Server-Side Chart Generation

Part 4: Server-Side Generation Features Comparison