Databases
StackOverflow2013
Postsdbo
POWhat algorithms does D3.js use for the force-directed graph?
 

Note that there are some explanatory texts on larger screens.

plurals
  1. POWhat algorithms does D3.js use for the force-directed graph?
    primarykey
    data
    text
    <p>I would be interested to know exactly what algorithms D3 uses to achieve the force-directed graph feature in the library. Having read <a href="http://www.cs.brown.edu/~rt/gdhandbook/chapters/force-directed.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Kobourov's summary</a> of the history of force-directed graphs left me a bit baffled as to what is the exact algorithm or method (combination of algorithms / heuristics) used in the library. </p> <p>D3 <a href="https://github.com/mbostock/d3/wiki/Force-Layout" rel="nofollow noreferrer">API reference</a> says Barnes-Hut algorithm is used to calculate the charges acting on bodies, an O(N*log(N)) operation. Kobourov's article mentions that Quigley-Eades algorithm, and Hu's algorithm are multilevel algorithms that make use of Barnes-Hut. Is one of them utilized in some way in D3? </p> <p>The API wiki futher says Verlet integration is used for particle positioning. The <a href="https://github.com/mbostock/d3/blob/master/src/layout/force.js" rel="nofollow noreferrer">source code</a> mentions Gauss-Seidel algorithm, which in turn is mentioned both in <a href="http://www.mathematica-journal.com/issue/v10i1/contents/graph_draw/graph_draw.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Hu's algorithm</a> and Dwyer's <a href="http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~tdwyer/Dwyer2009FastConstraints.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">graph layout paper</a>. I guess the question I'm looking an answer to is what "integrative" algorithm D3 utilizes; Kobourov's article lists several and D3 force-directed features don't directly seem to fit any of those.</p>
    singulars
    1. This table or related slice is empty.
    1. This table or related slice is empty.
    1. PTQuestion
    1. USVividD
    1. USamergin
    plurals
    1. This table or related slice is empty.
    1. This table or related slice is empty.
    1. This table or related slice is empty.
    1. PO
      singulars
      1. PTAnswer
    1. VO
      singulars
      1. POWhat algorithms does D3.js use for the force-directed graph?
      1. This table or related slice is empty.
      1. VTApproveEditSuggestion
    2. VO
      singulars
      1. POWhat algorithms does D3.js use for the force-directed graph?
      1. This table or related slice is empty.
      1. VTUpMod
    3. VO
      singulars
      1. POWhat algorithms does D3.js use for the force-directed graph?
      1. This table or related slice is empty.
      1. VTUpMod
    1. CONow that's a question! +1
      singulars
      1. POWhat algorithms does D3.js use for the force-directed graph?
      1. USRidcully
    2. COYou best email that question to Mike Bostock…
      singulars
      1. POWhat algorithms does D3.js use for the force-directed graph?
      1. USakuhn
    3. CO@akuhn: I haven't seen the creator's email on D3 website. I don't it would be appropriate to email such questions directly to him, then everyone in the community would just do that. I have seen Mike answering questions here on SO so I think this is the right forum to ask.
      singulars
      1. POWhat algorithms does D3.js use for the force-directed graph?
      1. USamergin
 

Querying!

 
Guidance
A row detail

Detail views are divided into sections. All the information in the data section comes from columns in the selected row. The other sections display data from other, related rows.

Related data can be related in a to-one or a to-many fashion. Captions of data related in a to-many fashion link to a list view showing a filtered view of the table.

Try moving around until you find a non-empty to-many entry and click on the label to get to one. You can move back to the root by clicking on the database name in the header.

SQuiL has stopped working due to an internal error.

If you are curious you may find further information in the browser console, which is accessible through the devtools (F12).

Reload