x-axis time stamps configuration

[dprokop]

@leeoniya do you mind explaining what is the 3rd column in the values array when customizing time formatting as described here https://github.com/leeoniya/uPlot/tree/master/docs#axis--grid-opts ?

values: [
  [3600 * 24 * 365,    "{YYYY}",               7,   "{YYYY}"                    ],
  [3600 * 24 * 28,     "{MMM}",                7,   "{MMM}\n{YYYY}"             ],
  [3600 * 24,          "{M}/{D}",              7,   "{M}/{D}\n{YYYY}"           ],
  [3600,               "{h}{aa}",              4,   "{h}{aa}\n{M}/{D}"          ],
  [60,                 "{h}:{mm}{aa}",         4,   "{h}:{mm}{aa}\n{M}/{D}"     ],
  [1,                  "{h}:{mm}:{ss}{aa}",    4,   "{h}:{mm}:{ss}{aa}\n{M}/{D}"],
],

Also - what is the relation between values and the _timeAxisStamps?

I went through the code but there's plenty to digest there :)

[leeoniya]

there's a recent breaking change coming in 1.2. see if the new format makes more sense:

#299

(read the comments above the config array in the code)

axis.values is a formatting function that accepts raw splits values and returns formatted tick labels. the default temporal axis formatter is able to accept a concise config array (_timeAxisStamps) which it pre-compiles.

[dprokop]

Ah, I got super confused by the new format only because it's not released yet and I'm on 1.1.2:) I think it makes more sense than the current one - especially that the current one is cryptic - as I mentioned I don't know what 7 mean 4 mean in the 3rd column of the array.

The new one seems more readable, but still quite cryptic unless there is a documentation. For example with this line:

[s,   ss,  NLmdyy + " " + hmmaa,   _,  NLmd + " " + hmmaa,   _, NLhmmaa,  _, 1],

It will precompile the array in timeAxisStamps, but can you guide me or explain how is the format being picked when the axis is actually rendered? Looking at the config I just don't know what to expect to be rendered.

[leeoniya]

the formatter goes through a selection process based on the axis splits spacing. this s line will get selected when the split spacing is >= 1s but less than the line above it (1min). that's what [0] is.

next, it will go through a selection process of whether to render the default tick format [1] or a more detailed rollover tick format [2]-[7] which will get appended (due to [8]) to the default tick format.

the first tick on the axis will always be a rollover tick because there's no prior context. the rest will track rollovers and modify which format to use dynamically based on what rolls over (year, month, day, etc...).

[dprokop]

Ok, this makes sense, thank you. When do you plan 1.2 release?

[leeoniya]

there's nothing outstanding, so likely today or tomorrow.

[leeoniya]

1.2.0 is published.

[dprokop]

thank you @leeoniya, this is awesome!