Overview - What is GraphStream?
GraphStream is a java library that manages dynamic graphs. It is composed of an object oriented API that gives an easy and quick way to add edges and nodes in a graph and make them evolve.
Dynamic Graphs
The graphs we address are composed of sets of nodes and edges that can appear, disappear or be modified and are called events. When such events occur in a graph, they define its evolution. In this way we define dynamics in a graph to be not only changes in its elements states but also elements creation and removals.
I/0 streams
The sequence of events that occur in a graph is seen as a stream; an input stream of events that continuously changes the graph. This stream can be initiated from another application or read from a file. The graph is seen as a client or a consumer for such events. It listens to producers for input streams of events. Since a graph is modified by events, it can be initially constructed with it. At any time of its life, a graph can generate an output stream of events that define its state. In this scene, the graph is the producer and the listener can be another application or be stored in a file.
A dedicated package (org.miv.graphstream.io) of the
library offers such input and output streams. More information can
be found in the documentation.
Graphical User Interface
The aim of the project is not only to provide an easy and rapid way to manage dynamic graphs but also give the experienced user access to an efficient set of tools. In other words, if you do not want to deal with graphical interfaces, you can instantiate in one line of code a default viewer that will display your graph on a Swing window. If you want a more precise graphical interface, you will notice that the library provides tools to layout (arrange) a graph and to display it. Each of these tools is configurable.
Publications
Please cite this work in your publications if you intend to use GraphStream.
Antoine Dutot, Frédéric Guinand, Damien Olivier, and Yoann Pigné. Graphstream: A tool for bridging the gap between complex systems and dynamic graphs. In EPNACS: Emergent Properties in Natural and Artificial Complex Systems, 2007. [bib] [pdf]
(The source code that generates this display)
An example of an application using GraphStream (community detection
with AntCo²
on the "dolphin" network (D. Lusseau, K. Schneider, O. J. Boisseau,
P. Haase, E. Slooten, and S. M. Dawson, Behavioral Ecology and
Sociobiology 54, 396-405, 2003)). A style sheet is used to specify
the look of edges and nodes. The large translucent circles centered
on edges are called "sprites". This is one of the mechanisms used by
GraphStream to visually represent the data associated to edges or
nodes.
