Creating Gantt Charts Using the Gantt Class

Every Gantt chart has at least one data set used to define the tasks and the information related to each task, such as start date, end date, milestones, percent finished, and so on.

A second data set can be used to describe dependencies between tasks.

The following methods are required for using the Gantt chart:

  • SetTaskData

    Use this method to specify where most of the information for the Gantt chart is stored. You can specify either a rowset or a record.

  • SetTaskID

    Use this method to specify the task ID, or name, of the task. Every task must have a unique task identifier. The task ID is used to support task linking and dependencies.

  • SetPlannedStartDate

    Use this method to specify the planned starting date of the task. Each task must have its own planned starting date.

  • SetPlannedEndDate

    Use this method to specify the planned ending date of the task. Each task must have its own planned ending date.

Though not required, Oracle recommends using the SetTaskName method to display meaningful information in the table section of the Gantt chart.

If you only use the required methods and do not use the SetTaskAppData method, Oracle recommends that you also use the SetChartArea method and dedicate most, if not all, of the entire area to the chart, and not the table.

If you specify one actual date, either for start or end, then you must specify the other (SetActualStartDate, SetActualEndDate).

In addition, if you want to use dependency data, the following methods are required:

  • SetTaskDependencyData

    Use this method to specify where most of the information for the dependency data is stored. You can specify either a rowset or a record.

  • SetTaskDependencyParentID

    In a dependency, one task depends on another. Use this method to specify the parent task, that is, the one that the other (child) task depends upon.

  • SetTaskDependencyChildID

    In a dependency, one task depends on another. Use this method to specify the child task, that is, the one that depends on another.