Using our Gantt control, you may display read-only Gantt charts as well as create new and edit existing charts interactively in your web browser. Then it can be saved back to server in XML format.
In our data model, a chart consists of Projects and Tasks. One task can contain child tasks, which are limited by the parent task duration. It may also be interpreted as a sub-project. Chart may also contain multiple projects.
Tasks may be linked by a predecessor-successor relation, which is represented by a connecting line on the chart. It means one task (successor) depends on the completion of its predecessor and will run not earlier than its predecessor task ends. To create such relation you must select successor task and using tree menu set a predecessor to it. If you want to delete this relation, you should set an empty predecessor. Remember, you can only link tasks with one single parent.
Each task has a progress indicator which is controlled by “Percent Complete” property of the task. It should be an integer from 0 to 100 (%).
We define duration of tasks and projects in hours. We assume one day is equal to 8 (working) hours. We use date format as DD.MM.YYYY as 20.12.2009 in our input fields, and in JavaScript initialization we use JavaScript Date() object. Remember that in JavaScript Date() object they cound month from zero, so 0 is January (strange and confusing). So “new Date(2009,11,20)” will create December 20, 2009 entry.
When you mouse hover a task, we display its properties in a popup box. You may also control the displaying of most important properties inline in the chart, after the task bar - use GanttChart.showDescTask() method for that.
If the chart is in edit mode, you may move tasks along with the time line. If you keep “CTRL” key down while moving a task, it is moved together with all children/successors, otherwise it is moved within current possible limits. While moving, you may see the current EST (earliest start date) inline.
You may also resize (change task duration) task by moving its right-end. While resizing, you can see current task duration inline.
In the tree you may collapse and expand sub-nodes.
The best way of initialization is XML - it is fast and easy. You should use JavaScript initialization in cases you have integration with another user controls on your page. The same - you should read XML content from the chart and save it back to your server or database.