Build a Better Charting Engine Using Flash and XML

hen you think of the phrase "charting on the Web", you probably think of COM components, .NET assemblies, or extensions (like Office Web Extensions). While these are great ways to chart your data, they do put a strain on the system when you need to chart data for thousands of concurrent users. They also come with installation hassles and high-priced licensing policies. You might also think of plain "nested-table" HTML charts, but these don't really make a very big impact on the end-user.

There is an alternative solution that combines good aesthetics with rich content. Macromedia Flash can help you create animated, data-driven charts. Flash's built-in scripting support (ActionScript) allows you to deliver great-looking interactive content.

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Build a Better Charting Engine Using Flash and XML

When you need to display data as charts in a Web app, forget about precompiled DLLs, assemblies, and expensive third-party components. This article will teach you how to use Flash MX to take data from any server-side script and render it in sleek-looking, animated charts.