Software used in the analysis of data is the focus of resources listed in this guide. This may include software designed for a variety of purposes, such as data acquisition, data cleanup, data visualization and graphing, and basic data analysis.
Data acquisition features might allow the user to import data from various sources into a larger application where it can be incorporated into a graph or other form of visualization, and where analysis can be carried out through other integrated tools.
Useful data analysis requires that the data be clean and reliable. Data cleanup software is used to accomplish this purpose, and to sort multiple entries into various categories for accurate tabulation.
Data visualization often uses graphs, pie charts, plots, diagrams, or other forms of visual tools that serve to make the data useful. Visualization tools allow the user to identify patterns and trends, displaying them through graphs, pie charts, or interactive graphical displays. Many applications allow for the combination of multiple graphs for more comprehensive analysis.
Basic data analysis makes use of a distribution platform that allows for the generation of statistical analysis from available data, including interactive histograms, custom summary statistics, and graphs.
Most data analysis tools will include a raw text format that may include interactive commands that allow for the extraction of words and phrases from unstructured texts.
Whatever the features, appropriate resources for this category include software designed for data analysis, which may include graphing and charting.
Recommended Resources
Offering versions for Mac, Windows, and the Cloud, as well as mobile iPad or Android versions, ATLAS.ti is a workbench for the analysis of large amounts of textual, graphical, audio, and video data, which helps to arrange, reassemble and manage data in systematic and meaningful ways. Product feature comparisons are listed side-by-side, and technical information, license data, prices, and client testimonials are posted, along with its support options.
https://atlasti.com/
Supported and under development since 1986, Gnuplot is a portable, command-line driven graphing utility for Linux, OS/2, OSX, MS Windows, VMS, and other platforms. Freely available, the application’s source code is copyrighted but freely distributed. Available on SourceForge, its release history, development notes, documentation, a user manual, tutorials and guides, books, and contributed scripts are featured, along with a gallery of demos, and links to other resources are included.
http://gnuplot.sourceforge.net/
Created in 1999, GraphCalc was one of the first Windows graphing calculator programs. Currently, it offers more than four hundred and fifty different calculators for math, finance, fitness and health, science, and others, as well as unit conversion tools in a number of subjects. Its calculators, features, and other resources are discussed, and the software may be downloaded for the Linux or Windows operating systems. Development information is posted to the site.
https://www.graphcalc.com/
GLE is a graphics scripting engine designed to create publication-quality figures, in chart, plot, graph, or diagram form, supporting function plots, histograms, bar charts, scatter plots, contour plots, color maps, and surface plots. Its output may be extended through GLE’s full-featured scripting language. Its features and requirements are posted, along with support data, documentation, examples, and screenshots. It may be downloaded under the GNU General Public License.
http://www.gle-graphics.org/
Available under the terms of the GNU General Public License, GraphThing is free and open-source software that allows users to create, manipulate, and study graphs, which are mathematical objects that describe the relationships between sets. An introduction to the software is given, along with an introduction to graph theory, a list of features available in the software, screenshots, internationalization functions, and requirements, as well as a download link.
http://graph.seul.org/
Headquartered in Massachusetts, OriginLab develops and markets graphing and data analysis software for scientists and engineers who need to analyze, graph, and present data. Its chief product, Origin, is available in English, German, and Japanese, and used by corporations, governments, colleges, and universities throughout the world, offering data analysis and graphing functions in an intuitive graphical interface. Included is Origin, Origin Pro, and Origin Viewer, which are described here.
https://www.originlab.com/
Developed in 1994, SoftDraw is an alternative to Visio that runs on a mac, on Windows, or online through any computer or tablet. It includes more than seventy different diagram types from flowcharts to floor plans, including automatic formatting that creates perfect layouts in minutes. Its online edition is available through a single-user or multiple-user annual subscription, as well as through a site license that covers an entire organization. Its features and support services are highlighted.
https://www.smartdraw.com/
Available as a free download under the terms of the GNU General Public License, the software and source code may be downloaded from SourceForge. Squid Graph is a free Squid v2 native logfile analysis tool that generates reports with a graphical representation of the proxy server’s traffic, similar to the MRTG tool. Project samples are posted to the site, along with development notes, and release history. Users may post help requests, reviews, and user ratings to the site.
https://sourceforge.net/projects/squid-graph/
Available from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Vislt is an open-source, interactive, scalable, visualization, animation, and analysis tool that can be operated on Mac, Unix, or Windows workstations, allowing users to interactively visualize and analyze data, from small, desktop-sized projects to large, leadership-class computing facility simulation campaigns. Its history, features, development notes, screenshots, and a gallery of visualizations are included.
https://wci.llnl.gov/simulation/computer-codes/visit
Developed at the University of Waikato, New Zealand, WEKA (Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis) is free and open-source (GNU General Public License) software. Originating as companion software to the book, "Data Mining: Practical Machine Learning Tools and Techniques." It includes a collection of visualization tools and algorithms for data analysis and predictive modeling. The book, several free online courses, and a wiki are available.
https://www.cs.waikato.ac.nz/ml/weka/
Created for manufacturers, WinSPC is intended to be installed on shop-floor computers where it can capture data from sources such as serial devices, text files, Excel files, machines, gauges, enterprise databases and systems, keyboards, and other sources, capturing data that can be immediately displayed, allowing shop-floor personnel to monitor manufacturing processes in real-time, while simultaneously testing data against SPC rules and process-specific requirements.
https://www.winspc.com/
Zoomable Visual Transformation Machine
ZVTM is a zoomable user interface toolkit implemented in Java and designed to facilitate the creation of complex visual editors in which large amounts of objects can be displayed, or which contain complex geometrical shapes that need to be animated. Available under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License, it works under Windows and Mac OS X, but there may be issues under a Linux or Solaris environment. Documentation, development news, and a list of features are put forth.
http://zvtm.sourceforge.net/
