Show HN: A JavaScript library for data visualization in both SVG and Canvas

#1

Post by andrewcourtice » Fri, Apr 12, 2024, 3:31 AM UTC

Here's a project I've been working on for a little while now. Ripl is a JS library that provides a unified API for rendering shapes on both canvas and SVG interchangeably. Over the years I've used D3 extensively to create data visualisations so I figured I'd have a go at making my own version with a slightly more modern API and stricter TypeScript support.

I am aware there are already libraries that can draw to multiple contexts interchangeably, but I've added a few little niceties to Ripl that (as far as I know) some other libraries don't have such as CSS-like query selectors, DOM-like event bubbling, and keyframe animation support.

The project is far from done and not published to NPM yet, but there are a few demos and source that you can look at in the repo.

I'm happy with how it has come along and the things I've learnt along the way, especially the math. My dream would be to one day work on this full-time and build out a full data-viz library.

Show HN: A JavaScript library for data visualization in both SVG and Canvas
github.com

Re: Show HN: A JavaScript library for data visualization in both SVG and Canvas

#2

Post by Solvency » Fri, Apr 12, 2024, 4:01 PM UTC

there are quite literally at least 20 JavaScript data visualization libraries, many with years of maturity. Are there any particular reasons I should stake my personal usage on your library going forward over any of the others besides the "modern API"?

you mentioned you wish you could go full-time on this… How do you foresee this becoming competitive or differentiated from all of the others?

Re: Show HN: A JavaScript library for data visualization in both SVG and Canvas

#3

Post by airstrike » Fri, Apr 12, 2024, 4:07 PM UTC

Solvency wrote: post #2

there are quite literally at least 20 JavaScript data visualization libraries, many with years of maturity. Are there any particular reasons I should stake my personal usage on your library going forward over any of the others besides the "modern API"? you mentioned you wish you could go full-time on this… How do you foresee this becoming competitive or differentiated from all of the others?

tbf OP said

> I am aware there are already libraries that can draw to multiple contexts interchangeably, but I've added a few little niceties to Ripl that (as far as I know) some other libraries don't have such as CSS-like query selectors, DOM-like event bubbling, and keyframe animation support.

Re: Show HN: A JavaScript library for data visualization in both SVG and Canvas

#4

Post by Solvency » Fri, Apr 12, 2024, 4:08 PM UTC

airstrike wrote: post #3

Solvency wrote: post #2

there are quite literally at least 20 JavaScript data visualization libraries, many with years of maturity. Are there any particular reasons I should stake my personal usage on your library going forward over any of the others besides the "modern API"? you mentioned you wish you could go full-time on this… How do you foresee this becoming competitive or differentiated from all of the others?

tbf OP said > I am aware there are already libraries that can draw to multiple contexts interchangeably, but I've added a few little niceties to Ripl that (as far as I know) some other libraries don't have such as CSS-like query selectors, DOM-like event bubbling, and keyframe animation support.

i'm more curious about the future of it because he said he wants to go full-time on it.

Re: Show HN: A JavaScript library for data visualization in both SVG and Canvas

#5

Post by [deleted] » Fri, Apr 12, 2024, 4:14 PM UTC

Solvency wrote: post #2

there are quite literally at least 20 JavaScript data visualization libraries, many with years of maturity. Are there any particular reasons I should stake my personal usage on your library going forward over any of the others besides the "modern API"? you mentioned you wish you could go full-time on this… How do you foresee this becoming competitive or differentiated from all of the others?

[deleted]

Re: Show HN: A JavaScript library for data visualization in both SVG and Canvas

#6

Post by pvg » Fri, Apr 12, 2024, 4:16 PM UTC

Solvency wrote: post #2

there are quite literally at least 20 JavaScript data visualization libraries, many with years of maturity. Are there any particular reasons I should stake my personal usage on your library going forward over any of the others besides the "modern API"? you mentioned you wish you could go full-time on this… How do you foresee this becoming competitive or differentiated from all of the others?

I should stake my personal usage

Nobody is asking you to do that, you can assess that for yourself if you're interested in looking at the project, if not, there's not much point subjecting the author to this sort of interrogation.

Re: Show HN: A JavaScript library for data visualization in both SVG and Canvas

#7

Post by mrbluecoat » Fri, Apr 12, 2024, 5:22 PM UTC

How does it compare to Apex Charts? https://github.com/apexcharts/apexcharts.js/

Re: Show HN: A JavaScript library for data visualization in both SVG and Canvas

#8

Post by scoot » Fri, Apr 12, 2024, 6:05 PM UTC

mrbluecoat wrote: post #7

How does it compare to Apex Charts? https://github.com/apexcharts/apexcharts.js/

It doesn't – they're completely different things. Ripl isn't a charting library, as is apparent from its description. The charts examples are just that - examples of using Ripl.

Re: Show HN: A JavaScript library for data visualization in both SVG and Canvas

#9

Post by WA » Fri, Apr 12, 2024, 6:19 PM UTC

Thanks for sharing. Code (especially core) with zero third-party dependencies is a refreshing sight. I have a custom canvas renderer for a project with zero animations so far and will take inspiration to implement some from your project. Looks pretty clean code-wise!

Re: Show HN: A JavaScript library for data visualization in both SVG and Canvas

#10

Post by lazyasciiart » Fri, Apr 12, 2024, 6:38 PM UTC

pvg wrote: post #6

Solvency wrote: post #2

there are quite literally at least 20 JavaScript data visualization libraries, many with years of maturity. Are there any particular reasons I should stake my personal usage on your library going forward over any of the others besides the "modern API"? you mentioned you wish you could go full-time on this… How do you foresee this becoming competitive or differentiated from all of the others?

I should stake my personal usage Nobody is asking you to do that, you can assess that for yourself if you're interested in looking at the project, if not, there's not much point subjecting the author to this sort of interrogation.

Consider it rephrased in a way that doesn’t upset you, like “what do you think the advantages of your new library are that outweigh the years of development behind existing libraries?”