Modular updating of visualizations

A system to modularly update hierarchical data received according to an arbitrary format, comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory storage including instruction which when executed by the processor provide:
• a core engine, operable to receive data organized according to series and a surface description for a visualization
• a series layout module, operable to receive a data series and the surface description to create geometry based on the surface description to graphically represent the data series in the visualization;
• and
• a layout engine, further comprising:
• an interpreter module, operable to create a change notification, wherein the change notification indicates a portion of the visualization that is affected by a change to the visualization;
• and
• an assembler module, operable to assemble and set positions within the visualization of the geometry created by the series layout module.

A computing device operable to modularly update a visualization defined by hierarchical data in response to a change to the hierarchical data, comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory storage including instruction which when executed by the processor causes the computing device to be operable to:
• receive hierarchical data;
• plot the visualization;
• cache the hierarchical data as a cached hierarchical data;
• receive updated hierarchical data, wherein the updated hierarchical data includes a change from the cached hierarchical data;
• compare the updated hierarchical data against the cached hierarchical data to determine the change;
• determine whether a portion of the visualization affected the change is materially altered;
• when the portion of the visualization affected by the change is materially altered:
• generating an updated portion of the visualization based on the change;
• and
• updating the visualization with the updated portion, wherein unaffected portions of the visualization not affected by the change are preserved;
• and
• caching the updated hierarchical data as the cached hierarchical data.