8.7 Generating the Acme Graph

 After you've completed the graph setup, click the ``Run report'' button on the ``Reports'' window. nxqddb will redisplay the ``Graph Setup'' window to allow you to make any changes to the graph setup before generating the graph. Click the Ok button to continue generating the graph. nxqddb will then display the standard print dialog box to prompt you for the

  
Figure 8.5: Acme graph of software bugs

print destination. Choose ``Preview on screen''; you should see a window similar to the one shown in figure 8.5.

Graph display options: grid, cross-hairs, zooming, Invert X/Y

 On the graph window shown in figure 8.5, notice that nxqddb provides three checkbuttons:

  

Grid

This checkbutton turns on/off a grid.

  

Cross-hairs

This checkbutton turns on/off cross-hairs. If turned on, you'll see an intersecting vertical and horizontal line. This option is useful to locate the X and Y values for a point on the graph.   

Zooming

This checkbutton turns on/off zooming. To zoom in on a part of your graph, follow these steps:

1. Check the ``Zooming'' checkbutton. The checkbutton is turned on when the red checkbutton square is depressed.
2. Locate where you want the upper left corner of your desired zoom area and then click the mouse. Now move the mouse to the lower right corner -- notice how a rectangle follows your mouse movement highlighting your area. Click the mouse a second time. At this point, nxqddb will zoom on the area you selected. You can continue zooming in on your graph. To return back to the original, just click the ``Zooming'' checkbutton.

Invert X/Y

This checkbutton toggles which attribute is on the X/Y axis.

Once you've displayed the graph shown in figure 8.5 you have the option to (1) make further customizations using  the ``Apply'' button or (2) print the graph.