JavaFX Line Chart

JavaFX Line Chart

In a JavaFX line chart, the mapping points are plotted between two number axes, where the markers are placed. These line segments join the markers together to form a JavaFX Line chart. In essence, the line chart displays the difference between the values of one axis and the change in the values of the other axis. The class javafx.scene.chart in JavaFX is used to represent Line Charts.

Syntax of JavaFX Line Chart:

Import javafx.scene.chart.LineChart // Import the LineChart class

LineChart ll = new LineChart(x, y); // Create a new line chart object

The JavaFX Line Chart class contains two constructors based on the parameters passed to the constructors. They are:

• Public LineChart(Axis Xaxis, Axis Yaxis ): creates a new LineChart object with the chosen axis.
• Public LineChart(Axis Xaxis, Axis Yaxis, ObservableList<xy.chartseries> data): create the new instance of LineChart with the chosen axis and data.

Properties

The following table lists the class's properties and setter methods.

setAxisSortingProperty(LineChart.SortingPolicy value)

This is a LineChart.SortingPolicy type property. It indicates whether the data should be sorted according to the axis's type.

setCreateSymbols(Boolean true)

This property is of the boolean type. If the symbol nodes are not given, it indicates if new symbols must be created for those.

updateAxisRange()

This method will be used if an invalidated range needs to be updated.

Steps to Generate Line Chart

The steps mentioned below can be used to build JavaFX Line Chart.

Step 1: Creating a Class

Create a new public class in Java and extend the “Application” class to use JavaFX in your class.

public class LineChartExample extends Application  {

}  

 

Step 2: Configure the Axes

The y-axis and x-axis must be configured with the specific coordinates and a label to draw the JavaFX Line chart.

//x-axis representation 
final NumberAxis xaxis = new NumberAxis(2008,2018,1);       
xaxis.setLabel("Year");  

//y-axis representation
final NumberAxis yaxis = new NumberAxis(10,80,5);
yaxis.setLabel("Price");    

 

Step 3: Create the JavaFX Line chart

Create an object for the LineChart class and constructors based on your parameters.

LineChart linechart = new LineChart(xaxis,yaxis); 

 

Step 4: Add Data to the series

The creation of an instance of the XYChart series is the essential phase in creating a JavaFX Line chart. The values shown in the chart will be added using the syntax below.

//to create the series   
XYChart.Series series = new XYChart.Series();   
      
//set the name and the data to the series   
series.setName("Stock Analysis");  

series.getData().add(new XYChart.Data(2017,78));  
series.getData().add(new XYChart.Data(2010,15));  
series.getData().add(new XYChart.Data(2011,68));  
series.getData().add(new XYChart.Data(2012,60));  
series.getData().add(new XYChart.Data(2013,35));  
series.getData().add(new XYChart.Data(2014,55));  
series.getData().add(new XYChart.Data(2015,45));  
series.getData().add(new XYChart.Data(2016,67)); 
series.getData().add(new XYChart.Data(2009,25)); 

 

Step 5: Add data to the chart

Use the syntax below to add the previously generated data to the series.

//for adding series to the linechart   
linechart.getData().add(series); 

 

Step 6: Configure Group and Scene

A group needs to be created to put together all the data. Once the group has been formed, the class javafx.scene is instantiated to generate the scene. The only argument in the scene that may be accepted is the group.

//setting Group and Scene   
Group root = new Group(linechart);  
Scene scene = new Scene(root,600,400);  
primaryStage.setScene(scene);  
primaryStage.setTitle("LineChart Example");  
primaryStage.show();  

Below is the Java program, which generates a line chart.

package application;  
import javafx.application.Application;  
import javafx.scene.Group;  
import javafx.scene.Scene; 
import javafx.scene.chart.XYChart;  
import javafx.scene.chart.LineChart;  
import javafx.scene.chart.NumberAxis;   
import javafx.stage.Stage;  
public class LineChartTest extends Application  
{  
    @Override  
    public void start(Stage primaryStage) throws Exception {  
        // TODO Auto-generated method stub  
        // Configuring Xaxis and Yaxis   
        final NumberAxis x = new NumberAxis(2008,2018,1);  
        final NumberAxis y = new NumberAxis(10,80,5);  
          
        //Define the label for Axis   
        x.setLabel("Year");  
        y.setLabel("Price");  
          
        //Creating the instance of linechart with the specified axis  
        LineChart linechart = new LineChart(x,y);  
          
        //creating the series   
        XYChart.Series series = new XYChart.Series();  
          
        //set the name and the date to the series   
        series.setName("Stock Analysis");  
        series.getData().add(new XYChart.Data(2009,25));  
        series.getData().add(new XYChart.Data(2010,15));  
        series.getData().add(new XYChart.Data(2011,68));  
        series.getData().add(new XYChart.Data(2012,60));  
        series.getData().add(new XYChart.Data(2013,35));  
        series.getData().add(new XYChart.Data(2014,55));  
        series.getData().add(new XYChart.Data(2015,45));  
        series.getData().add(new XYChart.Data(2016,67));  
        series.getData().add(new XYChart.Data(2017,78));  
          
        //adding series to the linechart   
        linechart.getData().add(series);  
          
        //setting Group and Scene   
        Group root = new Group(linechart);  
        Scene scene = new Scene(root,600,400);  
        primaryStage.setScene(scene);  
        primaryStage.setTitle("LineChart Example");  
        primaryStage.show();  
    }  

    public static void main(String[] args) {  
        launch(args);  
    }       
}  

The above program creates a JavaFX window that displays a JavaFX Line chart, as seen below.

Output

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do we use the JavaFX Line chart?

The JavaFX Line chart is a type of two-axis chart used to show the dynamics of any data or product over a particular time interval. They are created by plotting a series of points that can represent changes over a short or long period. 

Are pie charts comparable?

Pies shouldn't typically be used to compare data across pies, judge the relative sizes of categories, or show percentages that don't add up to 100%.

What three elements make up a JavaFX application?

A JavaFX application will typically consist of three main parts: 

• Stage
• Scene
• Nodes.

 

What are the three life cycle methods of the JavaFX application?

The three life cycle methods of JavaFX application are:-

• public void init()
• public abstract void start(Stage primaryStage)
• public void stop()

 

What are the types of line charts?

There are three types of Line charts in Java. They are

• Simple Line Chart
• Multiple Line Chart
• Compound Line Chart

 

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed JavaFX Line Chart. You can now create your own JavaFX Line Chart to represent any dynamic data.

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