Charts

PRD uses JFreeChart to manage charts. JFreeChart is a Java library that lets us create many types of high-quality charts. It also allows the charts to be highly customizable. The license that JFreeChart uses is the GNU LGPL, which allows proprietary software to use this library.

Note

For more information on JFreeChart, please refer to:

• Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JFreeChart

• Official site: http://www.jfree.org/jfreechart/

Charts give life to our reports and make them more than simple flat reports, giving them another dimension. Regarding this, Thomas Morgner, the Architect of PRD, said:

"Reporting without charting is like zombies without the inevitable hunt for fresh brains. You can do it, yes, but it is sure not fun."

Earlier most reporting software were not prepared to include charts, and the software that allowed charts presented serious limitations in their configuration. As such, most reports were just lists. Later, with the advent of new technology and software growth...