ZingChart Plots to End the War between HTML5 and Flash in Web-Based Charting

Today we launched the first charting library that renders charts and graphs in both HTML5 <canvas> and Flash. Rather than join the Flash vs. <canvas> debate, we built a version that renders charts in both frameworks. With the recent launch of the iPad, we hope ZingChart Flash + HTML5 <canvas> helps the growing data visualization community focus on building great visualizations rather than worrying about compatibility.

For you visual learners and tinkerers, here’s the demo:

http://www.zingchart.com/flash-and-html5-canvas/

For those of you who like to ask “why,” here’s why:

• Most people don’t care – much less understand – the difference between a chart’s development framework.(Speed + Interactivity = Happy users)
• Steve Jobs.
  (iPad/iPhone + Sweet Flash Chart = Angry user staring at a blue Lego)
• The ExCanvas library may be acceptable for simple charts, we don’t want to be restricted to simple charts.
  (IE User + Sweet <canvas> chart = No Graph or Annoyed user waiting for on-the-fly JavaScript conversion)
  
• Performance. Contrary to popular belief, <canvas> isn’t always faster than Flash. Especially with large datasets. Run the tests yourself.
  (10,000 plots + JavaScript-only library = Waiting for paint to dry)
• Features. <canvas> and Flash both allow some really cool features. We wanted the best of both worlds.
  (Best of Flash + Best of <canvas> = Best of Breed)
• Compatibility and Simplicity. With the ability to detect browsers, your single JSON packet will render charts on computers with and without Flash, iPads, iPhones, and anything else that can read HTML.
• Because we drink our own Kool-Aid. The entire ZingChart project was born because we needed interactive, zoomable and scrollable charts that could handle massive datasets for a deep web analytics project. Once we built it, we decided that others could be interested in our work.

Here’s some relevant links for you to get up to speed on ZingChart:

• Flash + HTML5 <canvas> demo
• ZingChart Home
• Press Release (ZingChart Flash + HTML5 Launch)

We hope you enjoy our work. If you like what you see, please Digg, Bookmark, Follow, and/or Become a Fan. We’re the new charts on the block so we love new friends, new ideas and links in.

Andrew Begin
Deputy of Chartjunk