Category: Data visualization

D3.js, short for Data-Driven Documents, is a powerful JavaScript library that uses web standards like SVG, HTML, and CSS to bring data to life in web browsers. Unlike simpler charting libraries, D3 gives developers complete control over the visual output, allowing for highly bespoke and unique designs. It provides the building blocks to create almost any type of data visualization imaginable, from basic charts to complex network diagrams and interactive maps.

First released in 2011, the JavaScript library D3.js quickly became a foundational tool for creating bespoke data visualizations on the web. The main function of D3 is to manipulate documents based on data, bringing datasets to life through dynamic HTML, SVG, and CSS.

According to the IEEE VIS 2021 Test of Time Award, D3 helped bring data visualization into the mainstream, impacting how millions of visuals are created across newsrooms and websites. So, what do you use D3 for in modern web development? The powerful JavaScript library is the toolkit of choice for crafting custom, dynamic, and interactive data stories directly in the browser.

Over 90% of APIs exchanged data using either JSON or CSV in a recent analysis, a trend that continues to shape data-driven web applications. For D3.js developers, understanding which D3 source is best for a given project is crucial for ensuring optimal performance and maintaining code efficiency.