What is graphs in admin area best practice?

[Rarst]

I have some pending plugin ideas (nearest one being antispam plugin for diploma on programming courses) that will require some graphs, mostly in admin area.

For my own use I have Google Charts class that works reasonably well. But will have to either stick it into every plugin, or require it as dependency for graphs to show. There is also privacy implication (graph data transferred in the open) some people might mind for admin area grade information.

WP has number of bundled JS... any of those capable of building graphs natively? Or will I have to bundle additional plugin for jQuery or something with my plugin?

PHP itself can also generate images but that seems like reinventing the wheel for the task.

What do you think would be best practice in this case?

[Otto]

If you don't want to rely on Google, then just grab a jQuery based chart library and include that with your plugin:
http://www.reynoldsftw.com/2009/02/6...gins-reviewed/

It's not hard to bundle a JS library with the plugin. Just put it in there then use wp_enqueue_script to include it on the pages where you need it.

[Rarst]

@Otto

Yeah, I think I saw that post. Even downloaded or bookmarked Flot somewhere.

Just thought maybe some of bundled script bunch can do that natively.

[Otto]

No, there's nothing native in there along those lines.

Still, just include the file in the plugin directory, then do:

 wp_enqueue_script('jquery-chart',plugins_url('chart.js',__FILE__), array('jquery')); 
  

Easy.