layout.grid Function (GPL)

Syntax

layout.grid(<function>))

or 

layout.grid(<algebra>, <function>)

<algebra>. Graph algebra, such as x*y. Refer to Brief Overview of GPL Algebra for an introduction to graph algebra. The algebra for network graphs is 1*1 because the position of elements is determined by the layout method and is not tied to a coordinate value (such as a value on a dimension). This algebra is implied and needs to be specified for network graphs only when faceting is needed.

<functions>. Valid functions. The from and to functions are required. The node function is optional for edges, allowing you to draw edges without a separate node data source.

Description

Lays out graphic elements in a grid. The function is used for network graphs, which are visual representations of data that consist of nodes and relations between nodes (edges). The grid layout is a general layout that can be applied to any graph. It lays out a graph assuming that links are undirected and treats all nodes identically. Nodes are placed only at grid points within the space.

Note: Network graphs that display nodes and edges require two data sources, one for the unique nodes and one for the edges. If the edge data source includes weights and the weight variable is indicated in the SOURCE statement, the weights influence the length of edges in the graph, with higher weights having shorter edges.

Examples

Figure 1. Example: Creating a grid network diagram
ELEMENT: edge(position(layout.grid(node(id), from(fromVar), to(toVar))))
ELEMENT: point(position(layout.grid(node(id), from(fromVar), to(toVar))), label(id))