P.: VisDB: Database exploration using multidimensional visualization

In this paper we describe the VisDB system, which allows an explo-ration of large databases using visualization techniques. The goal of the system is to support the query specification process by using each pixel of the display to represent one data item of the database. By arranging and coloring the pixels according to the relevance of the data items with respect to the query, the user gets a visual impression of the resulting data set. Using sliders for each condition of the query, the user may change the query dynamically and receives immediate feedback from the visual representation of the resulting data set. Dif-ferent visualization techniques are available for different stages of exploration. The first technique uses multiple windows for the differ-ent query parts, providing visual feedback for each part of the query and helping the user to understand the overall result. The second technique is an extension of the first one, providing additional infor-mation by assigning two dimensions to the axes. The third technique uses a grouping of dimensions and is designed to support a focused search on smaller data sets