# Jgraph > computer program for plotting graphs in postscript **Wikidata**: [Q126728391](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q126728391) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jgraph ## Summary Jgraph is a computer program for plotting graphs in PostScript format. It is free software created by American computer scientist James S. Plank. The tool runs on Unix-like operating systems including BSD and is distributed under licenses like the 3-clause BSD License. ## Key Facts - Instance of: plotting software, free software - Raw description: computer program for plotting graphs in postscript - Use: plotting, applies to part: graph - Creator: James S. Plank - Copyright holder: James S. Plank - Copyright status: copyrighted - Inception dates: 1989 (referenced in James S. Plank's Vita.pdf as "Jgraph: A very popular graphing tool, now included in most installations of Unix. Released in 1989."); November 1992 (original code date from official site) - Versions: 8.4 (stable version, October 2012); 8.5 (November 2017); 8.6 (February 2024) — all referenced from https://web.eecs.utk.edu/~jplank/plank/jgraph/jgraph.html as of 2024-06-19 - License: GNU General Public License; 3-clause BSD License (preferred) - Operating systems: BSD (preferred), Unix-like operating system (preferred, ) - Website: https://web.eecs.utk.edu/~jplank/plank/jgraph/jgraph.html (English language) - Man page: jgraph.1 - FreeBSD port: graphics/jgraph - Ubuntu package: jgraph; Launchpad.net project ID: ubuntu/+source/jgraph (applies to Ubuntu) - Debian source package: jgraph (start time: 2001-01-31) - Debian stable package: jgraph - Free software directory entry: Jgraph - Related entities: James S. Plank (American computer scientist, birth date 1966-08-06, occupations: computer scientist, university teacher, researcher, programmer; citizenship: United States; sitelink_count for related free software class: 120; BSD sitelink_count: 5; Unix-like OS sitelink_count: 47) ## FAQs **What does Jgraph do?** Jgraph plots graphs specifically in PostScript format. Its primary use applies to graph plotting as a dedicated computer program. **Who created Jgraph and holds its copyright?** James S. Plank, an American computer scientist born on 1966-08-06, developed and created Jgraph. He serves as the copyright holder with a copyrighted status. **What licenses cover Jgraph?** It falls under free software terms allowing users to run, study, change, and distribute it or modified versions. Specific licenses include GNU General Public License and the preferred 3-clause BSD License. **On which operating systems does Jgraph run?** Jgraph requires BSD, a Unix-like operating system descended from the Berkeley Software Distribution series. It also supports general Unix-like operating systems behaving similarly to Unix. **What are the release versions and dates for Jgraph?** Version 8.4 marks the stable release from October 2012. Version 8.5 came in November 2017, and version 8.6 arrived in February 2024. **When was Jgraph first released?** Inception traces to 1989, noted as a popular graphing tool included in most Unix installations. Original code dates to November 1992. **Where can Jgraph be found in software repositories?** FreeBSD offers it via the graphics/jgraph port. Ubuntu provides the jgraph package with Launchpad project ubuntu/+source/jgraph. Debian has it as source package jgraph since 2001-01-31 and as a stable package. **What documentation exists for Jgraph?** The man page is jgraph.1. The official website at https://web.eecs.utk.edu/~jplank/plank/jgraph/jgraph.html provides details in English. ## Why It Matters Jgraph addresses the need for a specialized tool to generate PostScript graph plots on Unix-like systems, filling a gap for precise, scriptable visualization in technical and academic computing. As free software authored by James S. Plank, it empowers users to run, study, modify, and redistribute it, fostering open collaboration in plotting workflows. Its integration into major distributions like FreeBSD, Ubuntu, and Debian—via ports, packages, and directories—makes it a staple in Unix environments, enabling widespread adoption for graph plotting since 1989. Long-term maintenance through versions up to 8.6 in 2024 underscores its reliability, while dual inception notes highlight its evolution from a 1989 release to refined 1992 code, influencing standard Unix toolsets. ## Notable For - Released in 1989 as a very popular graphing tool now included in most Unix installations, per creator's Vita. - Holds free software directory entry as Jgraph, with 120 sitelinks in related free software class. - Preferred licensing under 3-clause BSD, alongside GNU GPL, supporting full user freedoms. - Packaged across ecosystems: FreeBSD graphics/jgraph port, Ubuntu jgraph with Launchpad support, Debian source since 2001-01-31. - Steady versioning to 8.6 in February 2024, documented on official site. - Creator James S. Plank's multifaceted role as computer scientist, university teacher, researcher, and programmer. - Specific PostScript graph plotting on BSD and Unix-like OS, with man page jgraph.1 for command-line use. ## Body ### Overview and Classification Jgraph functions as a computer program dedicated to plotting graphs in PostScript. It qualifies as plotting software and free software, distributed under terms permitting users to freely run, study, change, and distribute it along with modified versions. The Wikidata description confirms it as a computer program for plotting graphs in PostScript. Its use centers on plotting, specifically applying to the graph part. ### Creator and Copyright James S. Plank created Jgraph and serves as the copyright holder. This American computer scientist, born 1966-08-06, holds occupations as computer scientist, university teacher, researcher, and programmer, with United States citizenship. Copyright status remains copyrighted. He is repeatedly linked in development, related, and created-by contexts. ### History and Inception Jgraph began in 1989, described in James S. Plank's Vita.pdf as "Jgraph: A very popular graphing tool, now included in most installations of Unix. Released in 1989." Original code dates to November 1992, per the official site. These references, accessed 2024-06-19, include sources like https://web.eecs.utk.edu/~jplank/Vita.pdf and https://web.eecs.utk.edu/~jplank/plank/jgraph/jgraph.html. ### Versions and Releases - Version 8.4: stable version from October 2012. - Version 8.5: released November 2017. - Version 8.6: released February 2024. All version data references https://web.eecs.utk.edu/~jplank/plank/jgraph/jgraph.html, checked 2024-06-19. ### Licensing Jgraph uses GNU General Public License. The preferred license is 3-clause BSD License, aligning with its free software class. ### Operating Systems and Platforms It runs on BSD, a Unix-like operating system based on or descended from the Berkeley Software Distribution Unix variants. It also supports Unix-like operating systems in general, with as a preferred identifier. Both BSD and Unix-like OS appear as preferred. ### Distribution and Packages - FreeBSD port: graphics/jgraph. - Ubuntu package: jgraph; Launchpad.net project ID ubuntu/+source/jgraph, applying to Ubuntu. - Debian source package: jgraph, starting 2001-01-31. - Debian stable package: jgraph. It appears in the free software directory as Jgraph. ### Documentation and Access The official website is https://web.eecs.utk.edu/~jplank/plank/jgraph/jgraph.html in English. The man page is jgraph.1. ### Related Connections James S. Plank links multiply across related, created/developed by, and other sections. Free software class carries 120 sitelinks. BSD has 5 sitelinks; Unix-like operating system has 47 sitelinks. ## References 1. [Source](https://web.eecs.utk.edu/~jplank/plank/jgraph/jgraph.html) 2. [Source](https://web.eecs.utk.edu/~jplank/Vita.pdf)