#!F-adobe-helvetica-medium-r-normal--18*
#!N 
#!CSlateBlue #!N  #!Rquikov A Very Quick Overview #!N #!EC 
#!N #!N Data Explorer is a system of tools and user 
interfaces for visualizing data. In general terms the visualization of data 
can be considered a 3-stage process: #!N #!I0 #!N  #!F-adobe-times-medium-r-normal--18*   #!N 
#!N #!I30 #!N 1. Describing and importing data #!N #!I30 #!N 
2. Processing the data through a visualization program #!N #!I30 #!N 
3. Presenting the resulting image. #!N #!I0 #!N #!EF #!N The 
simple diagram below shows where the chief tools and interfaces of 
Data Explorer fit into this process. The numbered list that follows 
 #!Loverdg1,dxall2 f Figure 1  #!EL  is keyed to the diagram. The list items briefly describe 
the roles of these features in Data Explorer visualization and give 
references to the relevant Data Explorer documentation. #!Cbrown #!N  #!F-adobe-times-medium-r-normal--18*    #!Roverdg1 
#!N Graphics omitted from Online Documentation. Please see the manual. #!N 
#!N Figure 1. Main features of Data Explorer. Tools and interfaces 
are positioned to show their general place in the visualization process. 
All those listed below the data-->image sequence are interactive interfaces except 
for the "modules" (6 and 10), which are directly accessible and 
manipulable in the Visual Program Editor (5). Numbers correspond to those 
in the accompanying list. Underlined features are discussed in this Guide. 
Features not underlined are discussed in other documentation, cited in the 
list. #!EF #!N #!EC #!N #!I0 #!N #!N #!I0 #!N  #!F-adobe-times-bold-r-normal--18*   
(1) Data Model #!EF #!I50 #!N The set of definitions, rules, 
and conventions used to describe Data Explorer entities (including data fields, 
geometrical objects, and images). #!N #!N See IBM Visualization Data Explorer 
User's Guide. #!N #!I0 #!N  #!F-adobe-times-bold-r-normal--18*   (2) Data Prompter #!EF #!I50 
#!N A user interface for describing data to be imported into 
Data Explorer. #!N #!N See  #!Ltimpdat,dxall37 h Importing Data  #!EL  and  #!Lprompt,dxall157 h Data Prompter  #!EL  in this Guide. 
#!N #!I0 #!N  #!F-adobe-times-bold-r-normal--18*   (3) Data Browser #!EF #!I50 #!N A 
user interface for viewing a data file, determining the layout and 
organization of the data it contains, and transferring this information to 
the Data Prompter (2). #!N #!N See  #!Lbrowse,dxall169 h Data Prompter Browser  #!EL  in this Guide. 
#!N #!I0 #!N  #!F-adobe-times-bold-r-normal--18*   (4) Scripting Language #!EF #!I50 #!N A 
simple, high-level language for creating visualization programs. It can also be 
used directly in a command mode to perform various tasks. Visual 
programs--i.e., the visualization programs displayed in the Visual Program Editor window 
(5) as "networks" of module icons--are also written in the scripting 
language. A visual program constructed in this window by the user 
is translated into the same language when it is saved to 
disk. #!N #!N See IBM Visualization Data Explorer User's Guide. #!N 
#!I0 #!N  #!F-adobe-times-bold-r-normal--18*   (5) Visual Program Editor (VPE) #!EF #!I50 #!N 
A graphical user interface for creating and modifying visual programs (networks). 
Programs created with this editor are translated into the scripting language 
(4) by Data Explorer and are stored in that form. #!N 
#!N See  #!Ltedvp,dxall27 h Editing a Visual Program: The Basics  #!EL  in this Guide; see also IBM Visualization Data 
Explorer User's Guide. #!N #!I0 #!N  #!F-adobe-times-bold-r-normal--18*   (6) Modules #!EF #!I50 
#!N The "building blocks" (visualization "tools") that constitute a visual program 
network. They can be directly accessed and manipulated in the Visual 
Program Editor (5). #!N #!N See IBM Visualization Data Explorer User's 
Reference. #!N #!I0 #!N  #!F-adobe-times-bold-r-normal--18*   (7) Module Builder #!EF #!I50 #!N 
A user interface for creating customized modules to be used in 
visual programs. #!N #!N See IBM Visualization Data Explorer Programmer's Reference. 
#!N #!I0 #!N  #!F-adobe-times-bold-r-normal--18*   (8) Image Window #!EF #!I50 #!N An 
interactive window for viewing and modifying the presentation of the image 
produced by a visual program. #!N #!N See  #!Ltuta5,dxall10 h Controlling the Appearance of an Object: The Image Window  #!EL  in this 
Guide. #!N #!I0 #!N  #!F-adobe-times-bold-r-normal--18*   (9) Control Panels #!EF #!I50 #!N 
A user interface for changing the parameter values used by a 
visual program. #!N #!N See  #!Lcpapa,dxall22 h Using Control Panels  #!EL  in this Guide; see also 
IBM Visualization Data Explorer User's Guide. #!N #!I0 #!N  #!F-adobe-times-bold-r-normal--18*   (10) 
Display Module #!EF #!I50 #!N An alternative to the Image window 
(8). #!N #!N See IBM Visualization Data Explorer User's Reference. #!I0 
#!N #!N #!N #!N #!N  #!F-adobe-times-medium-i-normal--18*   Next Topic #!EF #!N #!N 
 #!Lapa,dxall3 h Tutorial I: Using Data Explorer  #!EL  #!N  #!F-adobe-times-medium-i-normal--18*   #!N 
