Abstract: A plurality of interrelated block objects are obtained. Each block object having a respective specification that includes (i) a layout type; (ii) a mark type; (iii) one or more visual encodings; and (iv) one or more data fields of a data source. A respective data field of the one or more data fields is associated with a respective visual encoding of the one or more visual encodings. A respective query generated for each block object of the plurality of block objects is executed to retrieve a respective set of tuples from the data source. Each tuple comprising data values for the respective one or more data fields of the block object. A data visualization is generated in accordance with the respective specifications of the interrelated block objects. Each tuple in each of the respective set of tuples is represented as a visual mark in the data visualization.

Abstract: At a computer system a graphical user interface is displayed on a display. The graphical user interface includes (a) a schema region displaying data field icons, each data field icon representing a respective data field from a user-selected data source, and (b) a canvas region. In response to receiving user input selecting a data field icon from the schema region and placing it on the canvas region, a block card is displayed on the canvas region. The block card includes user interface affordances to designate (i) a layout type that specifies a row-based arrangement, a column-based arrangement, or an inline arrangement, (ii) a mark type that specifies a shape for visual data marks, and (iii) one or more visual encodings. A data visualization for the data source is generated and displayed according to the layout type, the mark type, and the visual encodings specified on the block card.

Abstract: A computing device receives a first user input that includes user selection of a first data field of a data source from a schema information region of a user interface and placement of the first data field into a data visualization region of the user interface. When the first data field corresponds to a geographic data field, the computing device determines longitude and latitude information for data values of the first data field. The computing device generates a map data visualization corresponding to the first data field according to the determined longitude and latitude information. The map data visualization includes a first layer having a first set of data marks corresponding to the first data field. The computing device displays, in the data visualization region, the map data visualization including the first set of data marks.

Abstract: A method generates map visualizations with multiple map layers. A user selects a data source with geographic data. A device displays a data visualization user interface, including a schema information region with data fields, and shelf regions that defining characteristics for a data visualization. The user selects a first geographic data, and the user interface generates a map data visualization using coordinates associated with the first geographic data field. The visualization includes a first plurality of data marks in a first layer. The user selects a second geographic data field. In response, the user interface displays a new layer icon. Upon activation of the new layer icon by the second geographic data field, the user interface superimposes a second layer over the existing map data visualization to form an updated map data visualization. The second layer includes a second plurality of data marks corresponding to the second geographic data field.

Abstract: At a computer system a number of interrelated block object specifications are generated according to user placement of data field icons on a canvas region. Each block object specification includes a layout type, a mark type, and one or more visual encodings. For each block object specification, a respective query is generated according to the user-selected data field icons that specify the visual encodings for the respective block object specification. Each query is executed to retrieve a respective set of tuples from the data source. Each tuple comprises data values for data fields corresponding to the user-selected data field icons. A data visualization is generated in accordance with the layout type, the mark type, and the visual encodings specified in each of the block object specifications, wherein each tuple in each of the respective set of tuples is represented as a visual mark in the data visualization.

Abstract: At a computer system a graphical user interface is displayed that includes a schema region displaying data field icons, each data field icon representing a respective data field, and a canvas region including block cards. Each block card specifies a respective layout type that is one of: a row-based arrangement, a column-based arrangement, or an inline arrangement. Each block card is generated in response to user placement of one or more respective data field icons onto the canvas region. For each block card, a respective database query is generated and executed to retrieve tuples of data for data fields associated with the respective block card. For each retrieved tuple, a respective two-dimensional grid position, including a respective row index and a respective column index, is computed. A data visualization is generated and displayed. Each retrieved tuple is represented as a visual mark displayed at its respective computed grid position.

Abstract: At a computer system a number of interrelated block object specifications are generated according to user placement of data field icons on a canvas region. Each block object specification includes a layout type, a mark type, and one or more visual encodings. For each block object specification, a respective query is generated according to the user-selected data field icons that specify the visual encodings for the respective block object specification. Each query is executed to retrieve a respective set of tuples from the data source. Each tuple comprises data values for data fields corresponding to the user-selected data field icons. A data visualization is generated in accordance with the layout type, the mark type, and the visual encodings specified in each of the block object specifications, wherein each tuple in each of the respective set of tuples is represented as a visual mark in the data visualization.

Abstract: At a computer system a graphical user interface is displayed on a display. The graphical user interface includes (a) a schema region displaying data field icons, each data field icon representing a respective data field from a user-selected data source, and (b) a canvas region. In response to receiving user input selecting a data field icon from the schema region and placing it on the canvas region, a block card is displayed on the canvas region. The block card includes user interface affordances to designate (i) a layout type that specifies a row-based arrangement, a column-based arrangement, or an inline arrangement, (ii) a mark type that specifies a shape for visual data marks, and (iii) one or more visual encodings. A data visualization for the data source is generated and displayed according to the layout type, the mark type, and the visual encodings specified on the block card.

Abstract: At a computer system a graphical user interface is displayed that includes a schema region displaying data field icons, each data field icon representing a respective data field, and a canvas region including block cards. Each block card specifies a respective layout type that is one of: a row-based arrangement, a column-based arrangement, or an inline arrangement. Each block card is generated in response to user placement of one or more respective data field icons onto the canvas region. For each block card, a respective database query is generated and executed to retrieve tuples of data for data fields associated with the respective block card. For each retrieved tuple, a respective two-dimensional grid position, including a respective row index and a respective column index, is computed. A data visualization is generated and displayed. Each retrieved tuple is represented as a visual mark displayed at its respective computed grid position.

Abstract: A method generates map visualizations with multiple map layers. A user selects a data source with geographic data. A device displays a data visualization user interface, including a schema information region with data fields, and shelf regions that defining characteristics for a data visualization. The user selects a first geographic data, and the user interface generates a map data visualization using coordinates associated with the first geographic data field. The visualization includes a first plurality of data marks in a first layer. The user selects a second geographic data field. In response, the user interface displays a new layer icon. Upon activation of the new layer icon by the second geographic data field, the user interface superimposes a second layer over the existing map data visualization to form an updated map data visualization. The second layer includes a second plurality of data marks corresponding to the second geographic data field.

Abstract: A form merging system for merging a primary form and a secondary form includes a relationship determination module adapted to determine a relationship between a primary form element on the primary form and a secondary form element on the secondary form and a form element addition module adapted to add the secondary form element to the primary form based on the relationship between the primary form element and a secondary form element. The form merging system allows the primary form customized by a user to be merged with various fields from a newly updated secondary form in an automatic manner.

Abstract: A metadata driven software development system provides various functionalities related to an entity of an application in the metadata format. Specifically, the system provides a set of base classes related to the entity and a set of methods and application programming interfaces for various operations to be performed on the entities in the metadata format. Defining such functionalities in the metadata format allows the system to dynamically generate XML messages matching any customized schema for that entity. Because such functionality is metadata driven, this system can be used with customized versions of the application without requiring any additional code or recompilation.

Abstract: A form merging system for merging a primary form and a secondary form includes a relationship determination module adapted to determine a relationship between a primary form element on the primary form and a secondary form element on the secondary form and a form element addition module adapted to add the secondary form element to the primary form based on the relationship between the primary form element and a secondary form element. The form merging system allows the primary form customized by a user to be merged with various fields from a newly updated secondary form in an automatic manner.

Abstract: A metadata driven software development system provides various functionalities related to an entity of an application in the metadata format. Specifically, the system provides a set of base classes related to the entity and a set of methods and application programming interfaces for various operations to be performed on the entities in the metadata format. Defining such functionalities in the metadata format allows the system to dynamically generate XML messages matching any customized schema for that entity. Because such functionality is metadata driven, this system can be used with customized versions of the application without requiring any additional code or recompilation.