Create stunning Histogram charts with ease!

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Project Overview
3. Obstacles Faced
4. Code Structure and Functionality
   • 4.1 Main.c
     • 4.1.1 Working with Files
     • 4.1.2 Reading the CSV File
     • 4.1.3 Storing the Data from CSV File
     • 4.1.4 Printing Categories and Frequencies
     • 4.1.5 Creating the Histogram using SVG
   • 4.2 Svg.c
     • 4.2.1 Introduction to Svg.c
     • 4.2.2 Str to Svg Function
     • 4.2.3 Num to Svg Function
     • 4.2.4 Svg Create Function
     • 4.2.5 Svg Finalized Function
     • 4.2.6 Svg Save Function
     • 4.2.7 Svg Free Function
     • 4.2.8 Max Function
     • 4.2.9 Histogram Svg Function
5. Usage and Demonstration
6. Future Improvements

Introduction

This article aims to provide an overview of the Histogram Shot Generator project. The project focuses on transforming statistical data from a CSV file into an SVG file in the form of a histogram. The programming language used for this project is C, and the necessary libraries include stdlib.h, string.h, stdio.h, and stdboo.h.

Project Overview

The Histogram Shot Generator project is divided into three major parts. The first part involves reading the data from the CSV file into the program. The second part consists of writing a code to store the information from the CSV file, such as the category, frequency, and title of the data. The third and crucial part involves creating a function that generates a histogram on an SVG file using the stored data.

Obstacles Faced

One of the significant challenges faced during this project was handling the CSV and SVG formats, which were relatively new concepts for me. However, with the help of extensive research and guidance, I was able to overcome these obstacles and proceed with the project.

Code Structure and Functionality

4.1 Main.c

4.1.1 Working with Files

The main.c file starts with the necessary include libraries and the inclusion of the svg.c file. The code then focuses on working with files to open the CSV file and read its contents.

4.1.2 Reading the CSV File

The code declares variables and a 2D array to store the data from the CSV file. It reads the first line of the CSV file, which contains the sample name and categories. The sample name is stored as "name," and the category is stored as "color."

4.1.3 Storing the Data from CSV File

A while loop is implemented to retrieve elements from the CSV file. Each category is stored once in the category array, and the number of elements read is tracked.

4.1.4 Printing Categories and Frequencies

A for loop is used to gather the frequencies for each category. The frequencies are stored in the frequency array. Another for loop is used to print all the categories and their frequencies.

4.1.5 Creating the Histogram using SVG

The code utilizes the raw histogram SVG function from svg.c, passing it the frequencies, categories, and database as arguments. The SVG file is created, and the histogram is generated by creating lines for the x-axis and y-axis, along with labels. Finally, the document file is cross-tabbed, and the memory allocated is freed.

4.2 Svg.c

4.2.1 Introduction to Svg.c

The svg.c file contains functions necessary for outputting the program's results. It starts with the required include library and initializes the stock and functions.

4.2.2 Str to Svg Function

The str to svg function appends a string to the document file. Memory allocation is done based on the size of the existing string and the size of the new string.

4.2.3 Num to Svg Function

The num to svg function appends a number to the document file. The memory allocation is similar to the str to svg function.

4.2.4 Svg Create Function

The svg create function is responsible for creating a new insight for the SVG stock and writing the opening text for it. It allocates memory and uses the str to svg and num to svg functions to create the opening text.

4.2.5 Svg Finalized Function

The svg finalized function is used to complete the document file by adding the necessary closing tags after all the elements have been added.

4.2.6 Svg Save Function

The svg save function writes the elements onto the document file.

4.2.7 Svg Free Function

The svg free function frees the memory that has been allocated during the execution of the program.

4.2.8 Max Function

The max function returns the maximum value in the layout.

4.2.9 Histogram Svg Function

The histogram svg function combines the previous functions to create the histogram. It creates the document file, sets the background, creates lines for the x-axis and y-axis, creates labels, finalizes the document file, writes it onto the file, switches to SVG, and frees the allocated memory.

Usage and Demonstration

To use the Histogram Shot Generator, a data.csv file is required, which includes the sample names and corresponding color for each sample. Running the min.c file will display the categories and their frequencies, as well as generate a histogram in the SVG format.

Future Improvements

For future improvements, this project can be enhanced by adding more features, such as the ability to convert multiple CSV files simultaneously to create multiple histograms. Additional output options, such as pie charts and line graphs, could also be implemented to provide more comprehensive data visualization.