A symbol is a collection of graphic
objects, parameters and conditions used to give a dynamic
representation of changing data.
A CSS file is used to store the information necessary to represent
a symbol, including the type and position of shapes, text, IVL
files, images, and other symbols used to make up the symbol.
Symbol data is stored inside the palette file structure. Palettes
are stored in standard Java™
.jar
archive files. Once created, a symbol is manipulated either by
being imported into other Rogue Wave® JViews products such as the
Designer, the Dashboard Editor, or directly using the Rogue Wave
JViews Java API.
Elements inside a symbol can be static to
represent specific information or dynamic to display status
according to values extracted from external data sources. For
example, you can use a PNG image showing a network structure and
add elements which change color to show bandwidth on hubs in the
network. Other examples of uses for symbols are:
- Indicators on a map, such as weather conditions, interesting locations or vehicle information.
- Gauges, sliders or VU meters on a dashboard.
- Status indicators and alarms in a SCADA application.
Symbols contain interactors. An interactor
listens for mouse events in a symbol, it uses the mouse movement
to change the value of a symbol parameter. Changes to parameters
result in changes to the graphic element to which they are bound.
Using interactors you create symbols that react to user input such
as:
- A slider or dial to control sound volume.
- Buttons to enable or disable options in a graphic equalizer.