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Vega-Lite: A Grammar of Interactive Graphics

Publisher: IEEE

Abstract:

We present Vega-Lite, a high-level grammar that enables rapid specification of interactive data visualizations. Vega-Lite combines a traditional grammar of graphics, prov...View more

Abstract:

We present Vega-Lite, a high-level grammar that enables rapid specification of interactive data visualizations. Vega-Lite combines a traditional grammar of graphics, providing visual encoding rules and a composition algebra for layered and multi-view displays, with a novel grammar of interaction. Users specify interactive semantics by composing selections. In Vega-Lite, a selection is an abstraction that defines input event processing, points of interest, and a predicate function for inclusion testing. Selections parameterize visual encodings by serving as input data, defining scale extents, or by driving conditional logic. The Vega-Lite compiler automatically synthesizes requisite data flow and event handling logic, which users can override for further customization. In contrast to existing reactive specifications, Vega-Lite selections decompose an interaction design into concise, enumerable semantic units. We evaluate Vega-Lite through a range of examples, demonstrating succinct specification of both customized interaction methods and common techniques such as panning, zooming, and linked selection.
Published in: IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics ( Volume: 23, Issue: 1, January 2017)
Page(s): 341 - 350
Date of Publication: 10 August 2016

ISSN Information:

PubMed ID: 27875150
Publisher: IEEE

Funding Agency:


1 Introduction

Grammars of graphics span a gamut of expressivity. Low-level grammars such as Protovis [3], D3 [4], and Vega [22] are useful for explanatory data visualization or as a basis for customized analysis tools, as their primitives offer fine-grained control. However, for exploratory visualization, higher-level grammars such as ggplot2 [27], and grammar-based systems such as Tableau (née Polaris [24]), are typically preferred as they favor conciseness over expressiveness. Analysts rapidly author partial specifications of visualizations; the grammar applies default values to resolve ambiguities, and synthesizes low-level details to produce visualizations.

References

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