Graphs and Charts

Dynamic Graphs API Question

[neh2008]

Hi!

I am a student and just entered the commercial market.

I have used lots of FREE stuff from the net, all kinds of OpenSource APIs. But, this time I think I should really know the insides.

Which is the licence that allows the opensource stuff to be used for free in the commercial applications?

Can I use GPL Licenced stuff for a commercial application?

Any good APIs that you might have tried to Draw dynamic graphs using PHP or ASP? I know ASP suck, I personally don't favor it much.

PHP and Java are the areas that might be really helpful.

Thank you

[Brett_Tabke]

PHP has stuff builtin for the GD graphics library.

[dmorison]

Using an API to generate images on the fly is a good way to go for complex charts, but don't overlook the fact that you can create some very good looking charts (in particular bar graphs) simply by using plain old HTML.

With a bit CSS in the mix you can create some very impressive looking charts.

A very simple proportional bar graph:

<table width='100%'>
<tr>
<td width='40%' bgcolor='green'>40% Voted YES!</td>
<td width='60%' bgcolor='red'>60% Voted NO!</td>
</tr>
</table>

[kmarcus]

you should also look at phplot -- works great for the basics. lots of examples to play with as well.

[neh2008]

I looked at PHPPlots, its cool and can serve my purpose.

Can I use PHPPlots for commercial applications? I mean its opensource and all but I still need to know more about this GPL licence.

[andreasfriedrich]

GNU licenses [gnu.org]