8.4. Interactive Charts

In contrast to image charts, which (as their name implies) are displayed as regular images, interactive charts are composed of dynamic graphics that are drawn using various browser facilities such as DHTML, Flash, Canvas, SVG, and VML. Typical interactivity includes scrolling, zooming, sorting, tool tips, and hover effects.

The drawing method employed is mostly transparent to the developer, as a well-written visualization will use the appropriate rendering method for the target browser. This is a great time-saver, allowing the developer to concentrate on the functionality and aesthetics of the charts rather than the minutiae of drawing them.