Mercurial > hg > WSGraph

--- a/README.txt	Thu Apr 11 13:50:51 2013 -0700
+++ b/README.txt	Thu Apr 11 15:31:38 2013 -0700
@@ -4,6 +4,128 @@
 WSGI graph server


+Directed Graphs
+===============
+
+Storage
+-------
+
+A directed graph may be expressed as JSON::
+
+ {'nodes': {'node1': {'metadata1': value, ...},
+            'node2': {'metadata1': value, ...}}.
+  'edges': {'node1': {'node2': {'metadata': value}, ...},
+            ...},
+  'graphmetadata': value,
+  ...}
+
+In languages like python, which can hash (key, value) pairs, the edges
+may be more conveniently hashed::
+
+ edges[('foo', 'bar')] = {'metadata': value}
+
+A directed graph may be stored in a RDB::
+
+Table: *nodes*
+
++----+---------+---------+---+
+|node|metadata1|metadata2|...|
++====+=========+=========+===+
+|foo |value    |value    |   |
++----+---------+---------+---+
+|bar |value    |value    |   |
++----+---------+---------+---+
+
+Table: *edges*
+
++-----+-----+---------+---------+---+
+|node1|node2|metadata1|metadata2|...|
++=====+=====+=========+=========+===+
+|foo  |bar  |value    |value    |   |
++-----+-----+---------+---------+---+
+
+Note that the nodes table has unique keys, but the edges table has
+rows identified only by the ordered set of two keys: node1 and node2.
+
+Previous formats use a node and value hash of a string: the nodes have
+a given name.  While this is convenient for human identification, a
+more efficient hashing mechanism may be achieved by an algorithm.
+Since a edge is a unique hash of two nodes, the nodes may be numbered
+with an appropriate algorithm giving a unique hash per edge.
+
+
+Higher Dimensionality
+---------------------
+
+* faces
+* ...
+
+
+Links
+-----
+
+* http://www.graphdracula.net/
+* http://thejit.org/
+
+Ideas
+-----
+
+I work at automation and testing at Mozilla, but have been known to
+don multiple hats, and, not surprisingly, I think a lot about how the
+web works. So I just read Stuart's blog post and couldn't help but
+feel that it plays somewhat in to my idea of mine.
+
+Background....
+
+The web is a directed graph (
+http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Directed_graph ). The nodes of the
+directed graphs are web pages and the edges of the directed graphs are
+produced when you clicked on a link.  This gives a unique opportunity
+to provide maps of the web.  There are a few components in this
+visualization.
+
+A site map.  This is a map that sits on a server.  When a visitor
+clicks on a link, a new edge is added by reading HTTP REFERER.  A toy
+example, no longer "live", is at http://k0s.org/map.svg . This gives
+both the webmaster and visitors to see how the site is traveled: the
+well worn routes as well as the dusty trails.  Note that the map
+itself is an element on the map :) In addition, the map could be
+embedded as a navigation aid on any page that desires it.  Obviously a
+lot more could be done here than is shown in the toy example: nodes
+could be collapsed into metanodes until expanded (that is
+/pictures/mission/capp.jpg and /pictures/mission/cowboy.jpg might just
+be /pictures/mission for the sake of easy navigation unless a user
+clicked in for closer detail), etc.  The algorithm is really simple:
+ - for each request (in middleware) read the path info and the HTTP
+ referer
+ - if this edge doesn't exist create it
+ - if it does, add one to its count (and whatever other metadata you
+ want....you have the whole request)
+ - additionally, you need a handler to display this data
+Some sites do this though I rarely see it presented this way and even
+more rarely to the user.
+In addition, you can make the system federated.  For instance, lets
+say foo.org and bar.org both have maps (presumedly noted as <link
+rel="" type=""> in their <HEAD>s).  If there is traffic from foo to
+bar you can stitch these maps together at the points where they meet.
+You have a federated map of the web!
+
+The map of one's journey.  So the above is from the site's point of
+view.  What about the user's point of view?  It would be easy to make
+an addon that recorded your own map of how you traversed the web.  You
+click on a link in any tab and, again, an edge is created (and
+populated with whatever metadata you want). You can see how you use
+the web as well as share your travels with friends.  This could also
+link up with site maps when they are available.
+
+Just some things I've been thinking of in the last two years.  I'm
+happy to go into more detail or flush them out if there is interest.
+
+https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en#!topic/mozilla-labs-pancake/TbRFpxvic6M
+http://play.fxhome.mozillalabs.com:4322/lattice/oyiptong@mozilla.com/graph/vis.html
+
+
+
 Graph exchange formats:

 * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graph_Modelling_Language