Chapter 2, Views

View Formatting Features and Options

Selecting a Data Presentation Format

 The SCO Doctor user interface will select the format which highlights the data most effectively. However, if the chosen presentation does not suit, you may select an alternative via the Format, Presentation menu option.


Presentation Dialog Box


  1. Choose a view (as described in ``Selecting a View'' ).

  2. Select Format, Presentation.

  3. Specify the format you require using the arrow keys.



Tables

Table Presentation View


 A table takes data directly from a database and adds borders and column headings. Tabular presentation is particularly useful for the comparison of exact numerical values. For example, monitoring the average daily CPU usage requires precise figures for effective comparison with past averages. The SCO Doctor interface selects the column headings to correspond with the table you choose.



Bar Graphs


Horizontal Presentation

Vertical Presentation


 Horizontal and vertical bar graphs are useful for displaying several like items and comparing their values.



Numerics

This feature can be used with horizontal and vertical bar graphs. Select actual numeric data values to supplement the bar representation using the Format, Numeric menu option. This will cause the actual numeric value of the graphed entity to be displayed to the right of the page for horizontal bar graphs and at the top of the page for vertical bar graphs. The Horizontal Bar Graph shown previously has numerics turned on.



Time Line Graphs


Time Line - CPU


 The time line converts selected data columns into a line graph over a specified chronological period. This representation provides a clearer profile of historical trends. Time is represented on the horizontal X-axis and the data item value is on the vertical Y-axis.

The time line will extend automatically as time elapses. As data reaches the limit of the X-axis, the graph will automatically compress the horizontal axis. The SCO Doctor interface selects the best scale for the Y-axis, that is, the scale that maximizes the graphical content and avoids re-scaling the axis. A maximum data value is calculated and rounded up to the next natural boundary. If the maximum value needs to be adjusted, the graph is automatically rescaled. The Format, Time Scale menu option also allows you to selectively reduce or enlarge the time scale on the X-axis and thereafter use a fixed X-axis time scale.



Changing the Delay

This option specifies the time period between collecting data snapshots. When the current database values are older than this period they will be refreshed. For performance considerations, this value should not be set to less than five seconds and ideally should be as large as possible for the activity you are undertaking. For example, when observing the average CPU load over many hours, a longer period should be used.


Changing the Delay


  1. Select a view.

  2. Select Format, Delay.

  3. Enter the required delay period.



Using Fill Area

 This option toggles whether the area or areas under a time line or point graph are filled so to provide a stacked bar presentation.


Time Line with Fill Area


  1. Select View.

  2. Use the arrow keys to select the required view. Screen in the example is System CPU.

  3. Select Format, Presentation, Line.

  4. Select Format, Fill Area to revert to a non-filled point graph.



Choosing Row Selection

 Row selection allows you to filter portions of a table or graph for display.


Original View

Adjusted View


 To make the change you must have the view you want to change displayed.

  1. Select Format, Row Selection.

  2. Enter the required column or use F3 for a popup selection list of available column names.

  3. Select a comparative relational operator, from:

  4. Under the Value input field, enter a string or numeric value to indicate the row or rows you wish to select.

NOTE: No quotation marks are necessary when entering a string value.


For example:



Relational Operators

 EQ - Selects data equal to the nominated value.

NE - Selects data not equal to the nominated value.

LT - Selects data less than the nominated value.

LE - Selects data less than or equal to the nominated value.

GT - Selects data greater than the nominated value.

GE - Selects data greater than or equal to the nominated value.



Scrolling a Table or Graph

A horizontal and/or vertical scroll bar will appear whenever a table or graph is too large for your screen. Simply use the arrow, PAGEUP or PAGEDOWN keys to scroll horizontally or vertically to view the entire display.


Table with Scroll Bar



Smoothing

This feature allows you to regulate extreme data values and simplify graphical interpretation. The smoothing factor creates a short-term moving data average which reduces spikes and other transient extremes. A smoothing factor of 0 implies no smoothing, while the factor of 99 will provide maximum smoothing. The default smoothing factor is 45.

NOTE: Numeric values will not be smoothed and will always be the actual data value.


Smoothing Dialog Box


 To make the change, you must have the view you wish to change displayed.

  1. Select Format, Smoothing.

  2. Nominate a smoothing percentage from 0 to 99.



Adjusting Time Scale

 This feature allows you to adjust the spread of data over the X-axis of a time line graph. Time scale sets a fixed duration throughout which the X-axis will scroll. A time line graph will normally compress the X-axis as it appends new data points. After using defining a time scale, the X-axis will be fixed and will scroll as new data points are realized. To restore the normal compressing of the X-axis, define a time scale of 0.


Time Scale Dialog Box


 To make the change, you must have the view you wish to change displayed.

  1. Select Format, Time Scale.

  2. Enter the time scale units you require.

  3. Specify the total number of units along the X-axis. For example, enter 60 to select a time scale of 60 seconds if you have specified seconds as the units in Step 2.