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A diagram is a symbolic representation of information using visualization techniques. Diagrams have been used since prehistoric times on walls of caves, but became more prevalent during the Enlightenment.^[1] Sometimes, the technique uses a three-dimensional visualization which is then projected onto a two-dimensional surface. The word graph is sometimes used as a synonym for diagram.

Overview

The term "diagram" in its commonly used sense can have a general or specific meaning:

visual information device : Like the term "illustration", "diagram" is used as a collective term standing for the whole class of technical genres, including graphs, technical drawings and tables.
specific kind of visual display : This is the genre that shows qualitative data with shapes that are connected by lines, arrows, or other visual links.

In science the term is used in both ways. For example, Anderson (1997) stated more generally: "diagrams are pictorial, yet abstract, representations of information, and maps, line graphs, bar charts, engineering blueprints, and architects' sketches are all examples of diagrams, whereas photographs and video are not".^[2] On the other hand, Lowe (1993) defined diagrams as specifically "abstract graphic portrayals of the subject matter they represent".^[3]

In the specific sense diagrams and charts contrast with computer graphics, technical illustrations, infographics, maps, and technical drawings, by showing "abstract rather than literal representations of information".^[4] The essence of a diagram can be seen as:^[4]

a form of visual formatting devices
a display that does not show quantitative data (numerical data), but rather relationships and abstract information
with building blocks such as geometrical shapes connected by lines, arrows, or other visual links.

Or in Hall's (1996) words "diagrams are simplified figures, caricatures in a way, intended to convey essential meaning".^[5] These simplified figures are often based on a set of rules. The basic shape according to White (1984) can be characterized in terms of "elegance, clarity, ease, pattern, simplicity, and validity".^[4] Elegance is basically determined by whether or not the diagram is "the simplest and most fitting solution to a problem".^[6]

Diagrammatology

Diagrammatology is the academic study of diagrams. Scholars note that while a diagram may look similar to the thing that it represents, this is not necessary. Rather a diagram may only have structural similarity to what it represents, an idea often attributed to Charles Sanders Peirce.^[7]^: 42 Structural similarity can be defined in terms of a mapping between parts of the diagram and parts of what the diagram represents and the properties of this mapping, such as maintaining relations between these parts and facts about these relations. This is related to the concept of isomorphism, or homomorphism in mathematics.^[7]^: 43

Sometimes certain geometric properties (such as which points are closer) of the diagram can be mapped to properties of the thing that a diagram represents. On the other hand, the representation of an object in a diagram may be overly specific and properties that are true in the diagram may not be true for the object the diagram represents.^[7]^: 48 A diagram may act as a means of cognitive extension allowing reasoning to take place on the diagram based on which constraints are similar.^[7]^: 50

Gallery of diagram types

There are at least the following types of diagrams:

Logical

Logical or conceptual diagrams, which take a collection of items and relationships between them, and express them by giving each item a 2D position, while the relationships are expressed as connections between the items or overlaps between the items, for example:

Quantitative

Quantitative diagrams, which display a relationship between two variables that take either discrete or a continuous range of values; for example:

Schematic

Schematics and other types of diagrams, for example:

Photomicrograph of the human chromosomes

Schematic diagram of the same.

Many of these types of diagrams are commonly generated using diagramming software such as Visio and Gliffy.

Diagrams may also be classified according to use or purpose, for example, explanatory and/or how to diagrams.

Thousands of diagram techniques exist. Some more examples follow:

Specific diagram types

A

Activity diagram used in UML 6/9 and SysML

B

C

Carroll diagram
Cartogram
Catalytic cycle
Computer network diagram
Chemical equation
Curly arrow diagram
Category theory diagrams
Cause-and-effect diagram
Chord diagram (disambiguation)
Circuit diagram
Class diagram – from UML 1/9
Cobweb diagram
Collaboration diagram – from UML 2.0
Communication diagram – from UML 2.0
Commutative diagram
Comparison diagram
Component diagram – from UML 3/9
Composite structure diagram – from UML 2.0
Concept map
Constellation diagram
Context diagram
Control flow diagram
Cross functional flowchart

D

E

Entity-relationship diagram (ERD)
Event-driven process chain
Euler diagram
Eye diagram – a diagram of a received telecommunications signal
Exploded-view drawing
Express-G

F

G

Gantt chart – shows the timing of tasks or activities (used in project management)
Grotrian diagram
Goodman diagram – shows the fatigue data (example: for a wind turbine blades)

H

I

Internal block diagram (IBD) used in SysML
IDEF0
IDEF1 (entity relations)
Interaction overview diagram – from UML
Ishikawa diagram

J

K

L

M

Message sequence chart
Mind map – used for learning, brainstorming, memory, visual thinking and problem solving
Minkowski spacetime diagram
Molecular orbital diagram
Motion diagram

N

N2
Nassi–Shneiderman diagram or structogram – a representation for structured programming
Nomogram
Network diagram

O

O–C diagram – a diagnostic plot of observed minus predicted values over time
Object diagram – from UML 2/9
Organigram
Onion diagram – also known as "stacked Venn diagram"

P

Package diagram from UML 4/9 and SysML
Parametric diagram from SysML
PERT
Petri net – shows the structure of a distributed system as a directed bipartite graph with annotations
Phylogenetic tree - represents a phylogeny (evolutionary relationships among groups of organisms)
Piping and instrumentation diagram (P&ID)
Phase diagram used to present solid/liquid/gas information
Plant diagram
Pressure volume diagram used to analyse engines
Pourbaix diagram
Process flow diagram or PFD – used in chemical engineering
Program structure diagram

R

S

Sankey diagram – represents material, energy or cost flows with quantity proportional arrows in a process network
Sentence diagram – represents the grammatical structure of a natural language sentence
Sequence diagram from UML 8/9 and SysML
SDL/GR diagram – specification and description Language. SDL is a formal language used in computer science.
Smith chart
Spider chart
Spray diagram
SSADM – structured systems analysis and design methodology (used in software engineering)
Star chart/Celestial sphere
State diagram are used for state machines in software engineering from UML 7/9
Swim lane
Syntax diagram used in software engineering to represent a context-free grammar
Systems Biology Graphical Notation – a graphical notation used in diagrams of biochemical and cellular processes studied in systems biology
System context diagram
System structure
Systematic layout planning

T

U

UML diagram – Unified Modeling Language (used in software engineering)
Use case diagram – from UML 5/9 and SysML

V

W

Y

Yourdon-Coad – see Edward Yourdon, used in software engineering

References

^ Eddy, Matthew Daniel (2021). "Diagrams". In Blair, Ann; Duguid, Paul; Goeing, Anja-Silvia; Grafton, Anthony (eds.). Information: A Historical Companion. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. pp. 397–401. doi:10.2307/j.ctv1pdrrbs.42. ISBN 9780691179544. JSTOR j.ctv1pdrrbs.42. OCLC 1202730160. S2CID 240873019.
^ Michael Anderson (1997). "Introduction to Diagrammatic Reasoning", at cs.hartford.edu. Retrieved 21 July 2008.
^ Lowe, Richard K. (1993). "Diagrammatic information: techniques for exploring its mental representation and processing". Information Design Journal. 7 (1): 3–18. doi:10.1075/idj.7.1.01low.
^ ^a ^b ^c Brasseur, Lee E. (2003). Visualizing technical information: a cultural critique. Amityville, N.Y: Baywood Pub. ISBN 0-89503-240-6.
^ Bert S. Hall (1996). "The Didactic and the Elegant: Some Thoughts on Scientific and Technological Illustrations in the Middle Ages and Renaissance". in: B. Braigie (ed.) Picturing knowledge: historical and philosophical problems concerning the use of art in science. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. p.9
^ White, Jan V. (1984). Using charts and graphs: 1000 ideas for visual persuasion. New York: Bowker. ISBN 0-8352-1894-5.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Pombo, Olga; Gerner, Alexander, eds. (2010). Studies in Diagrammatology and Diagram Praxis. London: College Publications. ISBN 978-1-84890-007-3. OCLC 648770148.

External links

What is Gigamapping (website provided by the Oslo School of Architecture and Design)

[1] Eddy, Matthew Daniel (2021). "Diagrams". In Blair, Ann; Duguid, Paul; Goeing, Anja-Silvia; Grafton, Anthony (eds.). Information: A Historical Companion. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. pp. 397–401. doi:10.2307/j.ctv1pdrrbs.42. ISBN 9780691179544. JSTOR j.ctv1pdrrbs.42. OCLC 1202730160. S2CID 240873019.

[MA97-2] Michael Anderson (1997). "Introduction to Diagrammatic Reasoning", at cs.hartford.edu. Retrieved 21 July 2008.

[RKL_93-3] Lowe, Richard K. (1993). "Diagrammatic information: techniques for exploring its mental representation and processing". Information Design Journal. 7 (1): 3–18. doi:10.1075/idj.7.1.01low.

[LEB_03-4] Brasseur, Lee E. (2003). Visualizing technical information: a cultural critique. Amityville, N.Y: Baywood Pub. ISBN 0-89503-240-6.

[BSH96-5] Bert S. Hall (1996). "The Didactic and the Elegant: Some Thoughts on Scientific and Technological Illustrations in the Middle Ages and Renaissance". in: B. Braigie (ed.) Picturing knowledge: historical and philosophical problems concerning the use of art in science. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. p.9

[6] White, Jan V. (1984). Using charts and graphs: 1000 ideas for visual persuasion. New York: Bowker. ISBN 0-8352-1894-5.

[:0-7] Pombo, Olga; Gerner, Alexander, eds. (2010). Studies in Diagrammatology and Diagram Praxis. London: College Publications. ISBN 978-1-84890-007-3. OCLC 648770148.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 {{Further|Chart}}
 }}
-A '''diagram''' is a symbolic [[Depiction|representation]] of [[information]] using [[Visualization (graphics)|visualization]] techniques. Diagrams have been used since prehistoric times on [[Cave painting|walls of caves]], but became more prevalent during the [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Eddy |first1=Matthew Daniel |date=2021 |chapter=Diagrams |editor1-last=Blair |editor1-first=Ann |editor2-last=Duguid |editor2-first=Paul |editor3-last=Goeing |editor3-first=Anja-Silvia |editor4-last=Grafton |editor4-first=Anthony |title=Information: A Historical Companion |pages=397–401 |location=Princeton, NJ |publisher=[[Princeton University Press]] |isbn=9780691179544 |oclc=1202730160 |jstor=j.ctv1pdrrbs.42 |chapter-url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/351935608}}</ref> Sometimes, the technique uses a [[Three-dimensional space|three-dimensional]] visualization which is then [[graphical projection|projected]] onto a two-dimensional surface. The word ''[[graphics|graph]]'' is sometimes used as a [[synonym]] for diagram.
+A '''diagram''' is a symbolic [[Depiction|representation]] of [[information]] using [[Visualization (graphics)|visualization]] techniques. Diagrams have been used since prehistoric times on [[Cave painting|walls of caves]], but became more prevalent during the [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Eddy |first1=Matthew Daniel |date=2021 |chapter=Diagrams |editor1-last=Blair |editor1-first=Ann |editor2-last=Duguid |editor2-first=Paul |editor3-last=Goeing |editor3-first=Anja-Silvia |editor4-last=Grafton |editor4-first=Anthony |title=Information: A Historical Companion |pages=397–401 |location=Princeton, NJ |publisher=[[Princeton University Press]] |doi=10.2307/j.ctv1pdrrbs.42 |isbn=9780691179544 |oclc=1202730160 |jstor=j.ctv1pdrrbs.42 |s2cid=240873019 |chapter-url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/351935608}}</ref> Sometimes, the technique uses a [[Three-dimensional space|three-dimensional]] visualization which is then [[graphical projection|projected]] onto a two-dimensional surface. The word ''[[graphics|graph]]'' is sometimes used as a [[synonym]] for diagram.
 == Overview ==
@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 * ''specific kind of visual display'' : This is the genre that shows qualitative data with shapes that are connected by lines, arrows, or other visual links.
-In science the term is used in both ways. For example, Anderson (1997) stated more generally: "diagrams are pictorial, yet abstract, representations of information, and [[map]]s, [[line graph]]s, [[bar chart]]s, [[engineering]] [[blueprint]]s, and [[architect]]s' [[Sketch (drawing)|sketch]]es are all examples of diagrams, whereas photographs and video are not".<ref name="MA97">Michael Anderson (1997). "Introduction to Diagrammatic Reasoning," at ''cs.hartford.edu.'' Retrieved 21 July 2008.</ref> On the other hand, Lowe (1993) defined diagrams as specifically "abstract graphic portrayals of the subject matter they represent".<ref name= "RKL 93">{{cite journal |last=Lowe |first=Richard K. |year=1993 |title=Diagrammatic information: techniques for exploring its mental representation and processing |journal=Information Design Journal |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=3–18 |doi=10.1075/idj.7.1.01low}}</ref>
+In science the term is used in both ways. For example, Anderson (1997) stated more generally: "diagrams are pictorial, yet abstract, representations of information, and [[map]]s, [[line graph]]s, [[bar chart]]s, [[engineering]] [[blueprint]]s, and [[architect]]s' [[Sketch (drawing)|sketch]]es are all examples of diagrams, whereas photographs and video are not".<ref name="MA97">Michael Anderson (1997). "Introduction to Diagrammatic Reasoning", at ''cs.hartford.edu.'' Retrieved 21 July 2008.</ref> On the other hand, Lowe (1993) defined diagrams as specifically "abstract graphic portrayals of the subject matter they represent".<ref name= "RKL 93">{{cite journal |last=Lowe |first=Richard K. |year=1993 |title=Diagrammatic information: techniques for exploring its mental representation and processing |journal=Information Design Journal |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=3–18 |doi=10.1075/idj.7.1.01low}}</ref>
 In the specific sense diagrams and charts contrast with [[computer graphics]], technical illustrations, [[infographics]], maps, and [[technical drawing]]s, by showing "abstract rather than [[literal translation|literal]] representations of information".<ref name = "LEB 03">{{cite book |first=Lee E. |last=Brasseur |author-link=Lee E. Brasseur |title=Visualizing technical information: a cultural critique |publisher=Baywood Pub |location=Amityville, N.Y |year=2003 |isbn=0-89503-240-6}}</ref> The essence of a diagram can be seen as:<ref name = "LEB 03"/>
@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 == Diagrammatology ==
-[[Diagrammatology]] is the academic study of diagrams. Scholars note that while a diagram may look similar to the thing that it represents, this is not necessary. Rather a diagram may only have [[structural similarity]] to what it represents, an idea often attributed to [[Charles Sanders Peirce]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/648770148 |title=Studies in diagrammatology and diagram praxis |date=2010 |publisher=College Publications |others=Olga Pombo, Alexander Gerner |isbn=978-1-84890-007-3 |location=London |oclc=648770148}}</ref>{{Rp|page=42}} Structural similarity can be defined in terms of a mapping between parts of the diagram and parts of what the diagram represents and the properties of this mapping, such as maintaining relations between these parts and facts about these relations. This is related to the concept of [[isomorphism]], or [[homomorphism]] in mathematics.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=43}}
+[[Diagrammatology]] is the academic study of diagrams. Scholars note that while a diagram may look similar to the thing that it represents, this is not necessary. Rather a diagram may only have [[structural similarity]] to what it represents, an idea often attributed to [[Charles Sanders Peirce]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/648770148 |title=Studies in Diagrammatology and Diagram Praxis |date=2010 |publisher=College Publications |editor-first1=Olga |editor-last1=Pombo |editor-first2=Alexander |editor-last2=Gerner |isbn=978-1-84890-007-3 |location=London |oclc=648770148}}</ref>{{Rp|page=42}} Structural similarity can be defined in terms of a mapping between parts of the diagram and parts of what the diagram represents and the properties of this mapping, such as maintaining relations between these parts and facts about these relations. This is related to the concept of [[isomorphism]], or [[homomorphism]] in mathematics.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=43}}
-Sometimes certain [[Geometry|geometric]] properties (such as which points are closer) of the diagram can be mapped to properties of the thing that a diagram represents. On the other hand the representation of an object in a diagram may be overly specific and properties that are true in the diagram may not be true for the object the diagram represents.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=48}} A diagram may act as a means of cognitive extension allowing [[Visual thinking|reasoning]] to take place on the diagram based on which constraints are similar.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=50}}
+Sometimes certain [[Geometry|geometric]] properties (such as which points are closer) of the diagram can be mapped to properties of the thing that a diagram represents. On the other hand, the representation of an object in a diagram may be overly specific and properties that are true in the diagram may not be true for the object the diagram represents.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=48}} A diagram may act as a means of cognitive extension allowing [[Visual thinking|reasoning]] to take place on the diagram based on which constraints are similar.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=50}}
 == Gallery of diagram types ==
@@ Line 29: / Line 29: @@
 There are at least the following types of diagrams:
+===Logical===
 * [[Logic]]al or conceptual diagrams, which take a collection of items and relationships between them, and express them by giving each item a 2D position, while the relationships are expressed as connections between the items or overlaps between the items, for example:
+<gallery mode=nolines heights=100>
-{|style="width:100%"
-|style="vertical-align:top; width:25px;"|
-|style="vertical-align:top;"|
-<gallery perrow="5" widths="80" heights="80">
 File:Tree Example.png|[[Tree structure|tree diagram]]
 File:Neural network.svg|[[Network diagram]]
@@ Line 41: / Line 39: @@
 File:Alphagraphen.png|[[Existential graph]]
 </gallery>
-|}
+===Quantitative===
 * Quantitative diagrams, which display a relationship between two variables that take either [[Discrete mathematics|discrete]] or a [[continuous function|continuous]] range of values; for example:
+<gallery mode=nolines heights=100>
-{|style="width:100%"
-|style="vertical-align:top; width:25px;"|
-|style="vertical-align:top;"|
-<gallery perrow="5" widths="80" heights="80">
 File:Histogram example.svg|[[Histogram]]
 File:Graphtestone.svg|[[Bar graph]]
@@ Line 56: / Line 51: @@
 File:Hanger Diagram.png|Hanger diagram.
 </gallery>
-|}
+===Schematic===
 * [[Schematic]]s and other types of diagrams, for example:
+<gallery mode=nolines heights=100>
-{|style="width:100%"
-|style="vertical-align:top; width:25px;"|
-|style="vertical-align:top;"|
-<gallery perrow="5" widths="80" heights="80">
 File:Train schedule of Sanin Line, Japan, 1949-09-15, part.png|[[Time–distance diagram]]
-File:Gear pump exploded.png|[[Exploded view]]
+File:Gear pump exploded.svg|[[Exploded view]]
 File:US 2000 census population density map by state.svg|[[Population density|Population density map]]
 File:Pioneer plaque.svg|[[Pioneer plaque]]
 File:Automotive diagrams 01 En.png|[[Three-dimensional|Three-dimensional diagram]]
 </gallery>
-|}
 {{multiple image
    | direction = horizontal
@@ Line 80: / Line 72: @@
 Many of these types of diagrams are commonly generated using diagramming software such as [[Microsoft Visio|Visio]] and [[Gliffy]].
-Diagrams may also be classified according to use or purpose, for example, explanatory and/or [[how to]] diagrams.
+Diagrams may also be classified according to use or purpose, for example, explanatory and/or [[How To (disambiguation)|how to]] diagrams.
 Thousands of diagram techniques exist. Some more examples follow:
@@ Line 95: / Line 87: @@
 *[[Bow-tie diagram]]
 *[[Block diagram]]
+*[[Business Process Model and Notation|Business Process Diagram]]
-*[[Block definition diagram (BDD)]] used in [[SysML]]
 ;C
@@ Line 120: / Line 112: @@
 *[[Context diagram]]
 *[[Control flow diagram]]
-*[[Contour diagram]]
-*[[Cordier diagram]]
 *[[Cross functional flowchart]]
@@ Line 143: / Line 133: @@
 *[[Exploded-view drawing]]
 *[[Express-G]]
-*[[Extended functional flow block diagram (EFFBD)]]
 ;F
@@ Line 151: / Line 140: @@
 *[[Flow process chart]]
 *[[Flow diagram]]
-*[[Fusion diagram]]
 *[[Free body diagram]]
@@ Line 186: / Line 174: @@
 ;M
-*[[Martin ERD]]
 *[[Message sequence chart]]
 *[[Mind map]] – used for learning, brainstorming, memory, visual thinking and problem solving
@@ Line 200: / Line 187: @@
 ;O
+*[[O–C diagram]] – a diagnostic plot of ''observed'' minus ''predicted'' values over time
 *[[Object diagram]] – from [[Unified Modeling Language|UML 2/9]]
 *[[Organigram]]
@@ Line 272: / Line 260: @@
 == See also ==
 {{Wiktionary}}
+* [[commons:Specific diagram types]]{{snd}}Gallery of many diagram types at Wikimedia Commons
-* [[Chart]]
+* {{annotated link|Chart}}
-* [[Table (information)]]
+* {{annotated link|Data and information visualization}}
-* [[Diagrammatic reasoning]]
+* {{annotated link|Diagrammatic reasoning}}
-* [[Diagrammatology]]
+* {{annotated link|Diagrammatology}}
-* [[Experience model]]
+* {{annotated link|Experience model}}
-* [[List of graphical methods]]
+* [[JavaScript graphics library|JavaScript graphics libraries]]{{snd}}Libraries for creating diagrams and other data visualization
-* [[Mathematical diagram]]
+* {{annotated link|List of graphical methods}}
-* [[Plot (graphics)]]
+* {{annotated link|Mathematical diagram}}
-* [[commons:Specific diagram types]] – gallery of many diagram types.
+* {{annotated link|PGF/TikZ}}
-* [[commons:Commons:Diagram resources]]
+* {{annotated link|Plot (graphics)}}
+* {{annotated link|Table (information)}}
 == References ==
@@ Line 292: / Line 282: @@
 * Michael Anderson, Peter Cheng, Volker Haarslev (Eds.) (2000). ''Theory and Application of Diagrams: First International Conference, Diagrams 2000''. Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, September 1–3, 2000. Proceedings.
 * Garcia, M. (ed.), (2012) ''The Diagrams of Architecture''. Wiley. Chichester.
+* [[Birger Ragnvald Sevaldson|Birger Sevaldson]], {{cite book | title = Designing Complexity | publisher = Common Ground Research Networks | year = 2022 | isbn = 978-0-949313-61-4 }}
+== External links ==
+* [https://systemsorienteddesign.net/what-is-gigamapping/ What is Gigamapping] (website provided by the Oslo School of Architecture and Design)
 {{Visualization}}

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