Graphic presentation of data with PHP or CF?

[fernimac]

I am developing a site that basically collects data from what visitors look for in other websites (what they search for, which categories of products have the highest demand, which products are searched for that we don't have...) Then, I want to present all this data graphically, so that one could see trends, evolution in time and combine different criteria in order to predict future demand. I have a lot of experience with ASP and I am starting to develop one site in PHP and another with ColdFusion. I have been checking and it seems easier to build such a site with ColdFusion (which is able to draw statitistical graphs out of data in MySQL tables, for instance, with no external or additional components in the server side) or with PHP. Any suggestions, experience, with these? Thanks a lot.

Fernando
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[danielle v2.1b]

Hi Fernando,

WebAssist make a really useful Dramweaver extension called Flash Charts (see http://www.webassist.com/Products/ProductDetails.asp?PID=17) and this can take data from asp, php or cfml pages as well as your own input to dynamically generate some very well turned out graphics. At $99, that might be easier/cheaper than learning a new server mark up language, or if you did use php or CF then you'd get a high end finish. Just an idea!

Regards,
Dani

[imported__sam_]

Hello Fernando,

You may look at JpGraph (http://www.aditus.nu/jpgraph/), a Graph Library for PHP, free for non-commercial use and very reasonable priced for commercial use.

best regards

Sam

[fernimac]

Hi Sam and Danielle,

I have checked both solutions but the drawbacks from my point of view are that Flash Charts look uglier than the charts generated by ColdFusion, and the site doesn't even have a demo or trial version so that I can try whether it is right for me. The PHP library (I said I don't have much experience with PHP) looks like something that must be installed in the server. As this site is going to be hosted in a commercial hosting company, I don't think that I will be able to change the server's configuration so I think I will stick to the ColdFusion solution by now.

Thanks anyway,

Fernando
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[imported__sam_]

Hello Fernando,

"Installing" a PHP package is just uploading the files it as if it were your own code. For this package you need the GD library to be available, which is the case with a default PHP installation, so any decent commercial server will have it.

Nevertheless, if you feel more comfortabel with CF, than that's the way you should go.

all the best for your project

Sam

[fernimac]

Hi Sam,

Thanks a lot. I will check it again, then. I thought that I would have to install something like an extension or a different component in the server, but if it is the way you say, it seems much simpler. I will check it again. At this moment, I am stuck trying to establish my first connection with MySQL (I installed PHP, MySQL and Apache in the computer I use for development and everyting seems to run fine, except that I have not been able to connect to the database from Dreamweaver MX up to now). Once I come up with the right configuration, I will try it local before uploading it to the server.

Thanks a lot for your advice!!

Fernando