The Plot-Data Interface in Statistical Graphics |
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Authors: | Catherine Hurley |
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Affiliation: | Department of Statistics , Computer and Information Systems, The George Washington University , Washington , DC , 20052 , USA |
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Abstract: | Abstract Statistical software systems include modules for manipulating data sets, model fitting, and graphics. Because plots display data, and models are fit to data, both the model-fitting and graphics modules depend on the data. Today's statistical environments allow the analyst to choose or even build a suitable data structure for storing the data and to implement new kinds of plots. The multiplicity problem caused by many plot varieties and many data representations is avoided by constructing a plot-data interface. The interface is a convention by which plots communicate with data sets, allowing plots to be independent of the actual data representation. This article describes the components of such a plot-data interface. The same strategy may be used to deal with the dependence of model-fitting procedures on data. |
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Keywords: | Abstraction barrier Interactive plots Software design |
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