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{{AddOnBanner|name=Annual Data Summary|type=HTML & Javascript|author=David Jamieson|contact=[[User:Daj|DAJ]]|updated=7 March 2011|version=1.1|updated=17 December 2012|version=1.2 BCJKiwi}}


Revision as of 22:41, 27 November 2012
'Annual Data Summary' is a small tool to read the [[dayfile.txt]] produced by Cumulus and summarise this in a table showing a full years worth of data.
Name: Annual Data Summary
*The tool uses HTML and jQuery (a language that produces Javascript) and includes a CSS file.
Type: HTML & Javascript
Author: David Jamieson
Contact: DAJ
Last update: 7 March 2011
Version: 1.1

Updated by BCJKiwi:
{{AddOnBanner|name=Annual Data Summary|type=HTML & Javascript|author=David Jamieson|contact=[[User:Daj|DAJ]]<br>updated=7 March 2011<br>version=1.1|updated=17 December 2012|version=1.2 BCJKiwi}}


'''An updated article, that supersedes this one is called [[Daily_Summary]]'''

'Annual Data Summary' is a small tool to read the [[dayfile.txt]] produced by Cumulus and summarise this in a table, arranged like a calendar, showing a full years worth of a selected criterion such as maximum daily temperature.

*The tool uses HTML, jQuery (a library script that produces Javascript) and a CSS file.
*The JavaScript version does not require a webserver with PHP services enabled. (Many of the free hosting services do not offer PHP so this was a solution to that problem).
*The JavaScript version does not require a webserver with PHP services enabled. (Many of the free hosting services do not offer PHP so this was a solution to that problem).
*The alternative is a PHP version (included so you have the option to use either).
*The alternative is a PHP version (included so you have the option to use either).
*Both provide identical looking output and functionality, however if you have PHP services on your web server use the PHP version as it is slightly faster.
*Both provide identical looking output and functionality, however if you have PHP services on your web server use the PHP version as it is slightly faster.



An working example is [http://www.grantownweather.co.uk/historic/dataSummary.php here]
An working example used to be available at the subsequently abandoned web site [http://www.grantownweather.co.uk/historic/dataSummary.php here]


= Requirements =
= Requirements =


*webserver space (unless you are using this tool on your own local machine)
*webserver space
*Cumulus [[Dayfile.txt]] file uploaded to the webserver (for this tool, the default location is a subfolder called 'data')
*Cumulus [[Dayfile.txt]] file uploaded to the webserver
*Javascript enabled browser (all modern browsers use Javascript)
*Javascript enabled browser (all modern browsers use Javascript)
*optionally, a tool to automate the uploading of dayfile.txt to your webserver once per day after rollover. Example, [[CumulusToolbox]]
*optionally, a tool to automate the uploading of dayfile.txt to your webserver once per day. Example, [[CumulusToolbox]]
*optionally, PHP enabled web server if you wish to use the PHP version
*optionally, PHP enabled web server if you wish to use the PHP version


== Configuration Variables ==
= The Source Code =
== Revised PHP ==
Here is a revised set of files (PHP only) ver 1.2.

These are available here and update the Ver 1.1 fileset below to eliminate errors in validation due to non-standard or deprecated code routines.
They also include a couple of updates from DAJ version as advised by posts in the Forum.
The files include additional notes, and explanations on the changes, where relevant.
*A working example is [http://silveracorn.co.nz/weather/datasummary.php here]
*Download the following file...[http://wiki.sandaysoft.com/files/AnnualDataSummary_12.zip AnnualDataSummary_12.zip]
*Follow the instructions below for the PHP version.

== Alternative PHP ==
See [http://sandaysoft.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=11397 Yet Another Dayfile Reader (PHP)] in the Website Development - Web general sub forum. Amongst other features, the highlighting makes day of week appear in row headers, you can swap between daily and seasonal views and there is a table summary including averages.

Browse the topic to identify who has adopted that design.
== Alternative JavaScript ==
This section only is by [[User:Sfws|Sfws]] ([[User talk:Sfws|talk]]) 00:53, 18 May 2013 (PDT)

An [http://sandaysoft.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=8690 alternative Javascript/jQuery solution] is in the 3rd party tools sub forum within the Cumulus forum and its advantages are fully described in a file within the package. They include standards compliance, better integration with standard Cumulus pages, statistical additions to the bottom of each month's column, and easier tailoring to your preferences on wording, language, and text colouring.

One site using in January 2013 a variant based on this alternative code, with its own look to the page, is [http://sassafras.id.au/projects/weather/dailyrecords.shtml found here].

== Original Fileset ==

*Download the following file...[http://wiki.sandaysoft.com/files/AnnualDataSummary.zip AnnualDataSummary.zip]
*Unzip the contents (five files will be extracted)

===Instructions===
*Edit the file 'readDayfile.js' or 'readDayfile.php' depending on your choice in a good text editor (for example, [http://notepad-plus-plus.org/ notepad++]) and consider the variables in the top section of the script.
These are the configuration variables described below.
If you need to adjust any of these settings, edit the appropriate file.
<br>
*Copy the necessary files to your web site into a subfolder, or the root -- your choice
: if using the PHP version copy ''datasummary.php'' and ''readDayfile.php''
: for the JavaScript version copy '''datasummary.html''' and '''readDayfile.js'''
*Copy ''datasummary.css''
* Open '''datasummary.html''' or ''datasummary.php'' from your website in a browser


=== Configuration Variables ===


by default, the script (the file 'readDayfile.js' or 'readDayfile.php' depending on your choice) will do the following:
by default, the script (the file 'readDayfile.js' or 'readDayfile.php' depending on your choice) will do the following:
Line 75: Line 51:
Change as needed, save and test
Change as needed, save and test


= Usage =
Along the top will be a menu of the (in original version) six data sets available and on the top left of the table is the year currently being shown. Change either the year, or click one of the top buttons to change the data set. Depending on the speed of your internet connection, and your browser, the new web page may take a few seconds to be processed as it involves: re-reading the dayfile.txt file, redrawing the table, and inserting the values.


== Revised PHP ==
If you mouse over a particular value, it will be highlighted together with the corresponding day (row heading) and month (column heading).
Here is a revised set of files (PHP only) ver 1.2.


These are available here and update the Ver 1.1 fileset to eliminate errors in validation due to non-standard or deprecated code routines.
Some data sets show minimum and maximum values in the cells at the intersection of the day and month headings, most just show a single value at the intersection.
They also include a couple of updates from DAJ version as advised by posts in the Forum.
The files include additional notes, and explanations on the changes, where relevant.


*A working example was [http://silveracorn.co.nz/weather/datasummary.php here] and also [http://www.fordingbridgeweather.co.uk/datasummary.php here]
*Download the following file...[https://cumuluswiki.org/files/AnnualDataSummary_12.zip AnnualDataSummary_12.zip], the zip contains 3 files:
*#'''readDayfile.php''' - script for reading the dayfile.txt and for creating the table structure that displays selected statistics in a calendar style
*#'''datasummary.php''' - example 'carrier' web page, this one uses the Saratoga template system, so also requires 2 more scripts (not provided) ''Settings.php'' and ''common.php''. You can use your own page instead of this file.
*#'''datasummary.css''' - styling sheet for the table structure that displays selected statistics in a calendar style


*Follow the instructions below for the PHP version.


== Opening a specific data set when the page is first loaded ==
By default (in the original version) the table created will show the available daily values of the ''maximum temperature'' for the current ''local calendar year'' (see possible problems below), however you can start with any data set and any year (assuming you have those values in the dayfile.txt) by ''adding a string to the end of your URL'' in the browser.


= Original 1.1 Fileset and instructions:- =
*The parameter 'data' (in the original version) takes mintemp, maxtemp, avgtemp, minmaxt, rainfall, windgust. (You can add further data sets or change the language of these values - see Localization). '''Note''' the specified data will be displayed even if it is assigned 'false' and does not appear as a button.
*You can supply both data set and year parameters, one only, or none


*download the following file...[https://cumuluswiki.org/files/AnnualDataSummary.zip AnnualDataSummary.zip]
examples....,
*Unzip the contents (five files will be extracted)
*Edit the file 'readDayfile' file in a a good text editor (for example, [http://notepad-plus-plus.org/ notepad++]). Edit the .js version or the .php depending on your choice
*Look for the line 'dayfile='/data/dayfile.txt';' around line 15 and change this to point to your dayfile.txt on your webserver. This path should start from the / (root)
*Copy the necessary files to your web site into a subfolder, or the root -- your choice
: if using the PHP version copy datasummary.php and readDayfile.php
: for the Javascript version copy datasummary.html and readDafyfile.js
*Copy datasummary.css
* open datasummary.html or datasummary.php from your website in a browser


= Usage =
*JS version -- '''myserver.com/datasummary.html?year=2010'''
*PHP version -- ''myserver.com/datasummary.php?year=2010''
:This will open the default (maximum temperature) data set but initially showing year 2010


Along the top will be a menu of the six data sets available and on the top left of the table is the year currently being shown. Change either the year, or click one of the top buttons to change the dataset. Depending on the speed of your internet connection, and your browser, the data may take a few seconds to be processed.


If you select the pure Javascript solution available here, it means the page viewer's browser is doing all the work. The complete dayfile.txt is loaded each time you select a dataset, and your PC then filters and processes it. An [https://cumulus.hosiene.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=8690 alternative Javascript/jQuery solution] that only reads the dayfile.txt once, however many times you choose a different data set or a different year is in the 3rd party tools forum. That alternative is thus considerably faster, especially with large dayfile.txt files.
*JS version -- myserver.com/datasummary.html?data=rainfall&amp;year=2009
:This will open the rainfall data set for the year 2009.


This is in contrast to a PHP solution also available here, where the source server does all the work and only sends the results to the viewer's browser.
== Processing ==
If you select the pure Javascript solution downloaded from this section, it means the page viewer's browser is doing all the work. The complete dayfile.txt is reloaded each time you select a dataset, and your browser then filters and processes the required subset of values from it. A table is then constructed by the script at the point indicated by the HTML DIV called 'tableData', and the values are then inserted.


= Possible problems =
If you select one of the two PHP versions available from this page, the source server does all the work of constructing the HTML page and sends the result to the viewer's browser.

*This has been tested and runs on IE 7, IE 8, IE9, FireFox 3 to 14, Chrome/Dragon/SRWare Iron, and Safari -- running on the non IE browsers for both Windows and the Mac.
*IE7 is notoriously slow for Javascript processing so there will be a longer delay as you change the data set (a few more seconds in some cases)


= Customisation =
= Customisation =
Line 109: Line 97:
== Understanding the Basics ==
== Understanding the Basics ==


The 'tool' relies on two files for successful operation.... datasummary.css (the style sheet) and either readDayfile.js (the JavaScript) or readDayfile.php (the PHP version). The third file, datasummary.html/php, is simply a carrier page to show the data.
The 'tool' relies on two files for successful operation.... datasummary.css (the style sheet) and readDayfile.js (the Javascript) or readDayfile.php (the PHP version). The third file, datasummary.html/php, is simply a carrier page to show the data.


If you wish to use your own page to show the data on, do the following:
If you wish to use your own page to show the data on, do the following:
Line 116: Line 104:
: In the &lt;HEAD&gt; section.....
: In the &lt;HEAD&gt; section.....
<pre>&lt;link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="screen" href="datasummary.css" /&gt;
<pre>&lt;link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="screen" href="datasummary.css" /&gt;
&lt;script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.5/jquery.js" type="text/javascript"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
&lt;script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.5.1/jquery.js" type="text/javascript"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
&lt;script src="readDayfile.js" type="text/javascript"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;</pre>
&lt;script src="readDayfile.js" type="text/javascript"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;</pre>
: This loads the stylesheet; loads a jQuery library from Google servers (rather than having the file on your server, note later versions of jQuery are available, but not supported by old versions of Internet Explorer, amend the '1.5' used by DAJ if you want to); and loads the Javascript to build the table
: This loads the stylesheet; loads a jQuery library from Google servers (rather than having the file on your server); and loads the Javascript to build the table
: Once the page is loaded it runs readDayfile.js and will look for a DIV called 'tableData'; inserting the data table within it. You can change the DIV it inserts into (see above).
: Once the page is loaded it runs readDayfile.js and will look for a DIV called 'tableData'; inserting the data table within it. You can change the DIV it inserts into (see later in this article).


*for the PHP version
*for the PHP version
:you still need the jQuery library as above
:use the code <pre><?php include('readDayfile.php');?></pre>
:use the code <pre><?php include('readDayfile.php');?></pre>


Please note that the table needs a good amount of space to show a full year of data (at least 900 pixels unless you start reducing the font size!)
Please note that the table needs a good amount of space to show a full year of data (at least 900 pixels unless you start reducing the font size!)

<br>

== Configuration Variables ==

by default, the script will do the following:

*Insert it's contents into a DIV called 'tableData' (JS version only)
*Assumes the date format in the dayfile is dd/mm/yy
*Assumes the data in the dayfile is separated with a comma

The last two assumptions are fine for UK based systems, however others should check the dayfile.txt and adjust as necessary

If you need to adjust any of these settings, edit the readDayfile.js file and consider the variables in the top section of the script:

*'''tableDiv''' - the name of the DIV on your webpage to insert the table into (JS Version only)
*'''field_delimiter''' - the symbol separating each of your fields in the dayfile.txt. For most people this is a comma but may also be a period (.)
*'''date_delimiter''' - the symbol separating your date format. In the UK this is / however in other countires it may be -

Change as needed, save and test


== Localization / Language ==
== Localization / Language ==
Line 131: Line 138:
The script has been designed to be easily translated to your language of choice.
The script has been designed to be easily translated to your language of choice.


As in '''Instructions''' above, edit the readDayfile.js / .php
As above, edit the readDayfile.js / .php


*variable '''mn''' is a list of the 12 months of the year, in an abbreviated format. You may change these as necessary, but try to keep it to an abbreviation as there is limited space.
*variable '''mn''' is a list of the 12 months of the year, in an abbreviated format. You may change these as necessary, but try to keep it to an abbreviation as there is limited space.
*''''label_items'''' is a list of all possible data sets to be displayed. Again you can change these to suit. However, the format is a little more involved and you should take some care. Each row represents one data set, with 4 columns of settings for that data set; so the default list is an array of four by six.
*''''label_items'''' is a list of all possible data sets to be displayed. Again you can change these to suit. However, the format is a little more involved and you should take some care. Example,....

Example of a row,....
<pre>['maxtemp','Max Temp','Maximum Temperature',true]</pre>
<pre>['maxtemp','Max Temp','Maximum Temperature',true]</pre>
*The first element, in this case 'maxtemp' -- is a system variable to identify the data set, used for the URL parameter option, used by the ''Switch'' coding (so any change here needs to be reflected there), and also tested elsewhere in the code (in the Rainfall and Windgust data sets a particular style is applied to their zero values).
*The first element, in this case 'maxtemp' -- must remain '''unchanged''', this is a system variable to identify the dataset and tested elsewhere in the code

However, if you add a new data set, then your new first element should be a unique identifier.
*Second, '''Max Temp''' is the text to be displayed in the ''button'' at the top of the table. You may change this to your own language
*Second, '''Max Temp''' is the text to be displayed in the ''button'' at the top of the table. You may change this to your own language

If you add a new data set, remember to consider how many buttons can be fitted across the top of the table, you may wish to split into multiple rows.
*Third, '''Maximum Temperature''' is the text shown at the top of the table to ''describe the current data set''; again you may change this
*Third, '''Maximum Temperature''' is the text shown at the top of the table to ''describe the current data set''; again you may change this
*Finally, 'true' will display this button at the top; 'false' will hide it. Therefore, if you do not wish to allow users to jump to the 'Rainfall data set' change the 'true' to 'false' in the 'rainfall' element of the variable. (true/false MUST be lowercase)
*Finally, 'true' will display this button at the top; 'false' will hide it. Therefore, if you do not wish to allow users to jump to the 'Rainfall dataset' change the 'true' to 'false' in the 'rainfall' element of the variable. (true/false MUST be lowercase)


(NOTE: [[User:Sfws|Sfws]] 12:22, 31 December 2012 (UTC)
The ''switch'' part of the coding identifies the columns in dayfile.txt for the values to be displayed. If you wish to add new data sets then see the alternative JavaScript version in the forum for more explanation about the original coding, and an alternative way to specify the columns in a revised version of the above array.)
<br>
<br>

== Opening a specific data set when the page is first loaded ==
By default (in the original version) the table created will show the available daily values of the ''maximum temperature'' for the current ''local calendar year'' (see possible problems below), however you can start with any data set and any year (assuming you have those values in the dayfile.txt) by ''adding a 'Query String' to the end of your URL'' in the browser.

*The parameter 'data' (in the original version) takes mintemp, maxtemp, avgtemp, minmaxt, rainfall, windgust. (You can add further data sets or change the language of these values - see Localization). '''Note''' the specified data will be displayed even if it is assigned 'false' and does not appear as a button.
*You can supply both data set and year parameters, one only, or none

examples....,

*JS version -- '''myserver.com/datasummary.html?year=2010'''
*PHP version -- ''myserver.com/datasummary.php?year=2010''
:This will open the default (maximum temperature) data set but initially showing year 2010


*JS version -- myserver.com/datasummary.html?data=rainfall&amp;year=2009
:This will open the rainfall data set for the year 2009.


== Styling ==
== Styling ==


The table styling is completely configurable using the included datasummary.css [[Stylesheet]]. By default it is using similar colours to the standard Cumulus website. Below are a few of the key entries to consider when adjusting settings (typically colouring)... Also see [http://sandaysoft.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=5319 support forum thread about colouring with php]
The table styling is completely configurable using the included datasummary.css [[Stylesheet]]. By default it is using similar colours to the standard Cumulus website. Below are a few of the key entries to consider when adjusting settings (typically colouring)...


In the 'datasummary.css' file:
In the 'datasummary.css' file:
Line 169: Line 184:
|-
|-
| #table_container .zerovalue
| #table_container .zerovalue
| In the Rainfall and Windgust data sets this style is applied to any values of 0. By default, the colour is set to a lighter grey but you could add 'display:none;' to hide zero values completely
| In the Rainfall and Windgust datasets this style is applied to any values of 0. By default, the colour is set to a lighter grey but you could add 'dispaly:none;' to hide zero values completely
|-
|-
| #table_container table th
| #table_container table th
Line 184: Line 199:
|}
|}


<br>

= Possible problems =

*Version 1.1 has been tested and runs on IE 7, IE 8, IE 9, FireFox 3 to 14, IceDragon, Chrome/Dragon/SRWare Iron, and Safari -- running on the non IE browsers for both Windows and the Mac.
*IE7 is notoriously slow for Javascript processing so there will be a longer delay as you change the data set (a few more seconds in some cases)
*Non-standard attributes 'datacol' and 'datarow' are generated by the original javascript and php routines that will not pass validation against standards (in HTML5 these can be made to validate by changing to 'data-col' and 'data-row').
*Version 1.0 and 1.1 default to showing a table for viewer's local current calendar year. Remember the dayfile.txt (even if updated each day) only contains records up to the day ending at the last rollover time using the timezone local to the weather station. Timezone differences when combined with rollover time variations can lead to a period of 2 days discrepancy. At New Year a blank table will be displayed during this period by default. For example, 30 or 31 (depending on whether rollover has occured) in December of the last year could be the latest available for a site in USA whilst the original version of the code is showing a blank table of the next year during early morning on 2 January in Austrailia. Even when station and viewer are in same timezone, there will be a blank table until the first rollover on 2 January.


= Version Control =
= Version Control =
1.2 New PHP version
(Alternative JavaScript and PHP versions not listed here - see forum references above)

1.2 This revised PHP only version can also be downloaded above

1.1 PHP version included with JavaScript version in new download package

1.0 Public launch (JavaScript only, no longer available for download)


1.1 PHP version included
<br>


1.0 Public launch
{{WatchReminderBanner}}


[[Category:WebTools]]
[[Category:WebTools]]

Latest revision as of 10:02, 9 January 2022

Revision as of 22:41, 27 November 2012 Name: Annual Data Summary Type: HTML & Javascript Author: David Jamieson Contact: DAJ Last update: 7 March 2011 Version: 1.1

Updated by BCJKiwi:

Name: Annual Data Summary
Type: HTML & Javascript
Author: David Jamieson
Contact: DAJ
updated=7 March 2011
version=1.1
Last update: 17 December 2012
Version: 1.2 BCJKiwi


An updated article, that supersedes this one is called Daily_Summary

'Annual Data Summary' is a small tool to read the dayfile.txt produced by Cumulus and summarise this in a table, arranged like a calendar, showing a full years worth of a selected criterion such as maximum daily temperature.

  • The tool uses HTML, jQuery (a library script that produces Javascript) and a CSS file.
  • The JavaScript version does not require a webserver with PHP services enabled. (Many of the free hosting services do not offer PHP so this was a solution to that problem).
  • The alternative is a PHP version (included so you have the option to use either).
  • Both provide identical looking output and functionality, however if you have PHP services on your web server use the PHP version as it is slightly faster.


An working example used to be available at the subsequently abandoned web site here

Requirements

  • webserver space
  • Cumulus Dayfile.txt file uploaded to the webserver
  • Javascript enabled browser (all modern browsers use Javascript)
  • optionally, a tool to automate the uploading of dayfile.txt to your webserver once per day. Example, CumulusToolbox
  • optionally, PHP enabled web server if you wish to use the PHP version

Configuration Variables

by default, the script (the file 'readDayfile.js' or 'readDayfile.php' depending on your choice) will do the following:

  • (both versions) Assume the dayfile.txt is read from a subfolder called 'data'.
  • (JS version only) Insert the table it generates into a HTML element with attribute id='tableData'
  • (both versions) Assume the date format in the dayfile is dd/mm/yy (the month is always in the middle for all Cumulus log files)
  • (both versions) Assume the data in the dayfile is separated with a comma

The last two assumptions are fine for UK based systems, however others should check their dayfile.txt and adjust as necessary

  • Look for the line 'dayfile='/data/dayfile.txt';' around line 15 and change this to point to your dayfile.txt on your webserver.
for PHP version the path should start from the / (root),
for JavaScript version the path should start from where the HTML will be stored.
  • (JS Version only) tableDiv - the HTML element id attribute on your webpage to insert the table into
  • (both versions) field_delimiter - the symbol separating each of your fields in the dayfile.txt. For most people this is a comma but (if you use comma to separate integer and decimal parts of real numbers) it could be a semi-colon (;) or other symbol.
  • (both versions) date_delimiter - the symbol separating your date format. See setup.

Change as needed, save and test


Revised PHP

Here is a revised set of files (PHP only) ver 1.2.

These are available here and update the Ver 1.1 fileset to eliminate errors in validation due to non-standard or deprecated code routines. They also include a couple of updates from DAJ version as advised by posts in the Forum. The files include additional notes, and explanations on the changes, where relevant.

  • A working example was here and also here
  • Download the following file...AnnualDataSummary_12.zip, the zip contains 3 files:
    1. readDayfile.php - script for reading the dayfile.txt and for creating the table structure that displays selected statistics in a calendar style
    2. datasummary.php - example 'carrier' web page, this one uses the Saratoga template system, so also requires 2 more scripts (not provided) Settings.php and common.php. You can use your own page instead of this file.
    3. datasummary.css - styling sheet for the table structure that displays selected statistics in a calendar style
  • Follow the instructions below for the PHP version.


Original 1.1 Fileset and instructions:-

  • download the following file...AnnualDataSummary.zip
  • Unzip the contents (five files will be extracted)
  • Edit the file 'readDayfile' file in a a good text editor (for example, notepad++). Edit the .js version or the .php depending on your choice
  • Look for the line 'dayfile='/data/dayfile.txt';' around line 15 and change this to point to your dayfile.txt on your webserver. This path should start from the / (root)
  • Copy the necessary files to your web site into a subfolder, or the root -- your choice
if using the PHP version copy datasummary.php and readDayfile.php
for the Javascript version copy datasummary.html and readDafyfile.js
  • Copy datasummary.css
  • open datasummary.html or datasummary.php from your website in a browser

Usage

Along the top will be a menu of the six data sets available and on the top left of the table is the year currently being shown. Change either the year, or click one of the top buttons to change the dataset. Depending on the speed of your internet connection, and your browser, the data may take a few seconds to be processed.

If you select the pure Javascript solution available here, it means the page viewer's browser is doing all the work. The complete dayfile.txt is loaded each time you select a dataset, and your PC then filters and processes it. An alternative Javascript/jQuery solution that only reads the dayfile.txt once, however many times you choose a different data set or a different year is in the 3rd party tools forum. That alternative is thus considerably faster, especially with large dayfile.txt files.

This is in contrast to a PHP solution also available here, where the source server does all the work and only sends the results to the viewer's browser.

Possible problems

  • This has been tested and runs on IE 7, IE 8, IE9, FireFox 3 to 14, Chrome/Dragon/SRWare Iron, and Safari -- running on the non IE browsers for both Windows and the Mac.
  • IE7 is notoriously slow for Javascript processing so there will be a longer delay as you change the data set (a few more seconds in some cases)

Customisation

Understanding the Basics

The 'tool' relies on two files for successful operation.... datasummary.css (the style sheet) and readDayfile.js (the Javascript) or readDayfile.php (the PHP version). The third file, datasummary.html/php, is simply a carrier page to show the data.

If you wish to use your own page to show the data on, do the following:

  • for the JS version
In the <HEAD> section.....
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="screen" href="datasummary.css"  /> 
<script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.5.1/jquery.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script src="readDayfile.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
This loads the stylesheet; loads a jQuery library from Google servers (rather than having the file on your server); and loads the Javascript to build the table
Once the page is loaded it runs readDayfile.js and will look for a DIV called 'tableData'; inserting the data table within it. You can change the DIV it inserts into (see later in this article).
  • for the PHP version
use the code
<?php include('readDayfile.php');?>

Please note that the table needs a good amount of space to show a full year of data (at least 900 pixels unless you start reducing the font size!)


Configuration Variables

by default, the script will do the following:

  • Insert it's contents into a DIV called 'tableData' (JS version only)
  • Assumes the date format in the dayfile is dd/mm/yy
  • Assumes the data in the dayfile is separated with a comma

The last two assumptions are fine for UK based systems, however others should check the dayfile.txt and adjust as necessary

If you need to adjust any of these settings, edit the readDayfile.js file and consider the variables in the top section of the script:

  • tableDiv - the name of the DIV on your webpage to insert the table into (JS Version only)
  • field_delimiter - the symbol separating each of your fields in the dayfile.txt. For most people this is a comma but may also be a period (.)
  • date_delimiter - the symbol separating your date format. In the UK this is / however in other countires it may be -

Change as needed, save and test

Localization / Language

The script has been designed to be easily translated to your language of choice.

As above, edit the readDayfile.js / .php

  • variable mn is a list of the 12 months of the year, in an abbreviated format. You may change these as necessary, but try to keep it to an abbreviation as there is limited space.
  • 'label_items' is a list of all possible data sets to be displayed. Again you can change these to suit. However, the format is a little more involved and you should take some care. Example,....
['maxtemp','Max Temp','Maximum Temperature',true]
  • The first element, in this case 'maxtemp' -- must remain unchanged, this is a system variable to identify the dataset and tested elsewhere in the code
  • Second, Max Temp is the text to be displayed in the button at the top of the table. You may change this to your own language
  • Third, Maximum Temperature is the text shown at the top of the table to describe the current data set; again you may change this
  • Finally, 'true' will display this button at the top; 'false' will hide it. Therefore, if you do not wish to allow users to jump to the 'Rainfall dataset' change the 'true' to 'false' in the 'rainfall' element of the variable. (true/false MUST be lowercase)


Opening a specific data set when the page is first loaded

By default (in the original version) the table created will show the available daily values of the maximum temperature for the current local calendar year (see possible problems below), however you can start with any data set and any year (assuming you have those values in the dayfile.txt) by adding a 'Query String' to the end of your URL in the browser.

  • The parameter 'data' (in the original version) takes mintemp, maxtemp, avgtemp, minmaxt, rainfall, windgust. (You can add further data sets or change the language of these values - see Localization). Note the specified data will be displayed even if it is assigned 'false' and does not appear as a button.
  • You can supply both data set and year parameters, one only, or none

examples....,

  • JS version -- myserver.com/datasummary.html?year=2010
  • PHP version -- myserver.com/datasummary.php?year=2010
This will open the default (maximum temperature) data set but initially showing year 2010


  • JS version -- myserver.com/datasummary.html?data=rainfall&year=2009
This will open the rainfall data set for the year 2009.

Styling

The table styling is completely configurable using the included datasummary.css Stylesheet. By default it is using similar colours to the standard Cumulus website. Below are a few of the key entries to consider when adjusting settings (typically colouring)...

In the 'datasummary.css' file:

CSS Element Description
#table_container .highlight Used to highlight the mouse position within the table, and also the row and column header of the data cell.
#table_container .smallfont Adjusting the font size to something smaller when showing both Max & Min temp on one data cell
#table_container .zerovalue In the Rainfall and Windgust datasets this style is applied to any values of 0. By default, the colour is set to a lighter grey but you could add 'dispaly:none;' to hide zero values completely
#table_container table th Colouring for the top header (Month names) and left header (day numbers)
#table_container table td,table th The width of each data cell in the table. Be careful adjusting this as making it too small will stop the data being displayed completely
#table_menu li The styling for the buttons at the top of the page (those for changing the data set)
#table_container Set the overall font size and style used in the table, as well as the text colour; table positioning and maximum width


Version Control

1.2 New PHP version

1.1 PHP version included

1.0 Public launch