What is JSynoptic?
JSynoptic is a tool dedicated to render information graphically. The user sets up and edits shapes on sheets, and can then apply data values to change shapes rendering. Data values can come from different sources such as external providers, archive files, or internally generated data (e.g mathematical expressions, random values...).
JSynoptic is a free 100% Java application dedicated to import and render dynamically or statically information.

JSynoptic's extensive feature set includes:
  • A data source pool that gathers all imported data sources.
  • A graphical sheet editor that allows user to set up and edit shapes on several sheets.
  • A strong tool library to configure shape dynamic properties, to transform data (interpolation, time offsets).
  • A plugin driven architecture that makes JSynoptic easy to extend for your specific needs.

System requirements
  • Minimum Java version 1.4.2
  • Tested with Java version 1.6ga5


JSynoptic on an eComStation machine with Open JDK


Installing JSynoptic
Download jsynoptic-2.7.0-installer.jar (21Mb). Make a new directory/folder with the name "jsynoptic" or something you like. Copy the file to the new created directory/folder. The copied file is an installer file, so you need to install it first. The commandfile which does the job is included in the zipfile at the end of this page. The contents of install.cmd are;
@echo off
set BEGINLIBPATH=[drive: java]\JAVA160\bin
set path=[drive: java]\JAVA160\bin
set CLASSPATH=
[drive: jsynoptic]
cd [drive: jsynoptic]\jsynoptic
java -jar jsynoptic-2.7.0-installer.jar 2>installerbugs.txt
I use 2 separate directories/folders, one for Java and one for JSynoptic with the files created by this program. The references used in the cmd file;

  • [drive: java] = drive with Java
  • [drive: jsynoptic] = drive with JSynoptic

should be replaced with real drive letters. Save your version of the file "install.cmd". This file is copied to the "jsynoptic" directory/folder. Furthermore, different paths?, adjust according to your needs. If you start the installation, you have to answer some questions which speaks for themselves, so no problems. There are no bugs reported in the file "installerbugs.txt".

The cmd file
The program works with OpenJDK in OS/2-eCS. I have a JSynoptic.cmd file with the following contents; 
@echo off
set BEGINLIBPATH=[drive: java]\JAVA160\bin
set path=[drive: java]\JAVA160\bin
set CLASSPATH=
[drive: jsynoptic]
cd [drive: jsynoptic]\jsynoptic
java -Duser.home=[drive: jsynoptic]\jsynoptic -Xmx128m -jar jsynoptic-bundled-2.7.0.jar 2>jsynoptic-bugs.txt
I use 2 separate directories/folders, one for Java and one for JSynoptic with the files created by this program. The references used in the cmd file;

  • [drive: java] = drive with Java
  • [drive: jsynoptic] = drive with JSynoptic

should be replaced with real drive letters. Edit and save the file with a name of your choice or use the file from the distribution. This file is copied to the "jsynoptic" directory(folder). Furthermore, different paths?, adjust according to your needs.
Create a new program object. Specify the path and file name: "[drive: jsynoptic]\jsynoptic\jsynoptic.cmd". In the tabpage Session check the boxes "OS/2 window", "Running as an icon" and "Close Window to end program". In the tabpage General you can enter the name "JSynoptic". You find enclosed in the file a suitable OS/2 icon.

Parameters / options explained
  • The statement "-Duser.home=[drive: jsynoptic]\jsynoptic" will ensure that JSynoptic will save all necessary files in own directory instead of saving them in the home directory.
  • The "-Xmx128m" indicates the maximum limit of the used memory. Without JSynoptic can crash at start.
  • The addition "2>jsynoptic-bugs.txt" ensures that errors are saved in the file "jsynoptic-bugs.txt". The 2 in "2>" is not a typo!

Running the program
It is best to start with the help page. This one works!. After reading the help you can visit the site jsynoptic.sourceforge.net and read the other info. There is no real manual, so getting started is not that easy. Once you know how to you can go on from that point.

Download
In the file you can find the above command files (all driveletters are set to C:) and a JSynoptic icon: jsynoptic-ecs.zip.

revision July 28, 2019