Displaying data in a webpage from logged text files

Question

I have multiple text files with logged data like this:

6/23/09 17:00 0.443
6/23/09 17:05 0.443
6/23/09 17:10 0.443
6/23/09 17:15 0.443
6/23/09 17:20 0.443
6/23/09 17:25 0.443
6/23/09 17:30 0.443
        ...

I'd like to create a webpage that displays this data from different files in a more readable manner. I'd like to create a scrollable datatable and a graph. I would like to only present one file at a time, so I would have a dropdown to select which one to view.

I have experience with HTML, CSS, Javascript, PHP, and a little bit of MySQL as far as web stuff goes.

Currently, I'm planning on using a table in a fixed-height div for the datatable, but I'm not sure about the graph. Everything is up in the air.

My questions:

• What do you suggest I use to create this data viewer? (languages)
• What library should I use for graphing?
• What should I use for the scrollable datatable?
• How should I store the data? (Each file could have as many as 80,000 lines)

Any help would be great! I just need a point in the right direction.

Answer 1

• What do you suggest I use to create this data viewer? (languages)

You already know PHP, HTML & CSS, so you could use HTML tables to begin with.

• What library should I use for graphing?

There are several chart/graph libraries available, have a look at these questions:

• Graphs/Charts in PHP
• Best graph and diagram toolset for PHP

• What should I use for the scrollable datatable?

Have a look at the TinyTable JavaScript Table Sorter if you use HTML tables.

• How should I store the data?

You could import the files into a database. Then use SQL queries to extract the information for the graphs as required.

Answer 2

If you want to get fancy, you might consider using Jasper Reports for the graphing.

http://jasperforge.org/plugins/project/project_home.php?projectname=jasperreports

However that does require a little Java coding. I definitely try the PHP graphic functions first and see how far you get with that.