README for The Plotlib Toolkit
==============================

Introduction
============

The Plotlib Toolkit is a library of classes
designed for plotting and printing mathematical functions and
statistical data using the Java2D-APIs of Java 2.

Although some solutions exist to the problem of plotting data
(mainly for presentation on webpages using applets), there is to 
my knowledge no GPLed solution which solves more than very specific
parts of the problem. This toolkit was therefore designed from
scratch with the following goals in mind:
 
  - sound object-oriented design, making extensions to the
    toolkit easily possible
  - usage of the extended Java2D-API
  - batch processing using XML as a description language for plots
  - support for presentation as well as <em>printing</em>
  - high-level classes for simplified use of the toolkit in
    standard situations

This project is in alpha state. The layout of the packages has
been done (although this too is subject to change) and some of
the primitives are implemented. The code itself should be bugfree
and you should be able to produce meaningful results. Have a look 
into the test subdirectory for samples.


DISCLAIMER
==========

The Plotlib Toolkit is released under the GPL (see the file COPYING).


COMPILATION
===========

You nedd ant to compile the Plotlib Toolkit. Just run

> ant compile


RUNNING
=======

After successful compilation, try:

java -cp build/classes de.bablokb.plotlib.test.FktTest

This will start the class de.bablokb.plotlib.test.FktTest.

Currently defined test-classes: AxisTest, FktTest, GridTest LayoutTest,
LineTest, SymbolTest.

These test-classes can serve as a starting point for your own programs.


BUGS, CONTRIBUTIONS, NOTES
==========================

If you think you found a bug or want to contribute some code please drop 
me a note. Note that I check my mail only once or twice a week, so please
be patient.

(c) Bernhard Bablok, 1999-2004
mail@bablokb.de
http://www.bablokb.de