VisTrails

VisTrails provides you with a comprehensive system for data exploration, analysis and visualization, which is designed to improve your development workflow. The application allows you to combine the available resources, specialized libraries, grids and Web services. It also allows you to work with powerful visualization systems.

VisTrails features a straightforward interface, with a simple to use workspace and several menus or toolbars on the side. You can view the current workflow as a tree structure and easily access each node. The structure is represented by a graphic chart in which the nodes are squares, connected by curved lines.

The workspace allows you to manually change the location and linking of the nodes, with your mouse or pointing device. The menu on the right side allows you to modify the values associated with each node; you may add several input URLs, as well as set the output values and create annotations. You may also change the node’s configuration and add documentation.

VisTrails also allows you to manage the workflow in a simple manner. You may change the nodes (or module) tags at any time, as well as add notes and manage mashups.

The program features a large list of preset modules that you can add to the workflow with a few mouse clicks. The modules include URL related functions, such as file download, VisTrails Spreadsheet, VTK functions, workflow control, dialogs, maps or table data management.

You may also work with maptolib, Python functions, sklearn, archive data or perform SQL queries. VisTrails also allows you to view the workflow history, create sub-workflows and execute the code when the process is finished.

VisTrails is a suitable tool for data exploration and allows you to manage it in a visual environment. Not only can you view the graph containing all the nodes and the connections, but you can manually change the status of any module. For example, you can edit its configuration, add annotations, change the module label, set it as a breakpoint or modify its execution options.