Graphviz
Graphviz is open-source software for turning graph descriptions into diagrams of graphs and networks.
What Graphviz is
Graphviz is open-source software for turning graph descriptions into diagrams of graphs and networks. You write a structural description in a simple text language, then use one of its layout programs to arrange the graph visually. It supports graph, network, and hierarchical diagrams, with attributes to adjust graphs, nodes, edges, and clusters. Visual options include colors, fonts, tabular node layouts, line styles, hyperlinks, and custom shapes. Graphviz can export formats including BMP, EPS, GIF, JPEG, JSON, PDF, PNG, PostScript, SVG, TIFF, WebP, DOT, and XDOT; DOT is also listed as an import format. It can also display graphs in an interactive browser, and its documentation covers library use. The project lists applications in networking, bioinformatics, software engineering, database and web design, and machine learning. It is free and open source under the Eclipse Public License. Graphviz cautions that it was not intended to replace Visio and may frustrate people trying to use it that way.
Good
- Free and open source under the Eclipse Public License
- Exports to image, vector, and document formats
- Offers several layout programs and algorithms
- Supports colors, hyperlinks, and custom shapes
Watch out
- Imports DOT format only
- Not intended as a Visio replacement
Who it suits
Graphviz suits people who want to describe and render structural relationships as diagrams, including in the listed application areas. Its text-based input and layout controls may appeal to developers and other users who want customizable graph visuals.
Verdict
Graphviz offers a flexible way to turn text-based graph descriptions into varied visual outputs. Its stated limitation matters for users seeking a general-purpose Visio replacement.
Plans and prices
From Graphviz's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2001.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free / open source | Free | Open-source Graphviz software; no paid plan details stated on the opened pages |
The facts
Each one read from Graphviz's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Customization
- Attributes can customize the layout of graphs, nodes, edges, and clusters.checked 11 Oct 2001
- Diagram features
- Features include colors, fonts, tabular node layouts, line styles, hyperlinks, and custom shapes.checked 11 Oct 2001
- Diagram types
- graph diagrams; network diagrams; hierarchical diagramschecked 20 Sep 2001
- Input
- Its layout programs turn graph descriptions written in a simple text language into diagrams.checked 11 Oct 2001
- Integrations
- The external resources page lists editor plugins and language bindings, including Python, Go, Java, Rust, and others.checked 11 Oct 2001
- Layout engines
- Graphviz includes multiple layout programs and algorithms for projecting abstract graphs into visual space.checked 11 Oct 2001
- Library use
- The documentation includes guidance for using Graphviz as a library.checked 11 Oct 2001
- License
- Current Graphviz software versions are licensed as open source under the Eclipse Public License.checked 11 Oct 2001
- Notable limitation
- The About page says Graphviz was not intended to be a Visio replacement and may be frustrating to use that way.checked 11 Oct 2001
- Outputs
- Graphviz can produce images, SVG, PDF, and PostScript, or display graphs in an interactive graph browser.checked 11 Oct 2001
- Purpose
- Graphviz is open-source graph visualization software for representing structural information as diagrams of graphs and networks.checked 11 Oct 2001
- Security
- The download page provides SHA-256 links for listed Windows installers and archives.checked 11 Oct 2001
- Support
- Users can ask questions and discuss Graphviz in the project forum, and report or view bugs on its issue tracker.checked 11 Oct 2001
- Use cases
- The project identifies networking, bioinformatics, software engineering, database and web design, and machine learning as application areas for graph visualization.checked 11 Oct 2001
Where it runs
- Platforms
- The download page lists Linux and Windows packages and links to the macOS edition; source packages are also available.checked 11 Oct 2001
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