Requirements for interactive graphics software for exploratory data analysis (Q1297883)

Features of statistical interactive graphics are discussed and implementations of graphics tools in statistical software such as DataDesk, JMP, MANET and Visual Insights are compared. The author considers querying, zooming, multiple views, grouping and linking. E.g., an idea of logical zooming is proposed. The author writes: ``This is well known from maps. Augsburg is a dot on the map of the world, a bigger circle on the map of Germany and displayed in great detail on its street map. Anyone would be disappointed if they zoomed in on Augsburg on a map and just saw the bleak dot get bigger and bigger.'' Logical zooming in gistograms is considered.