From e0b78a27af8cb4ec04b09a41220a2fc81013c1d1 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Esther Kim Date: Fri, 15 Nov 2024 16:06:25 -0500 Subject: [PATCH 1/2] Add a section for scalar vs. timeseries in wildcard widget --- content/en/dashboards/widgets/wildcard.md | 17 +++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 17 insertions(+) diff --git a/content/en/dashboards/widgets/wildcard.md b/content/en/dashboards/widgets/wildcard.md index 06b43a78bc724..baca2e180919e 100644 --- a/content/en/dashboards/widgets/wildcard.md +++ b/content/en/dashboards/widgets/wildcard.md @@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ However, if none of the Datadog widgets meets your visualization needs, a Wildca 1. [Check native widgets][4]. See if a Datadog widget can fulfill your requirements. 1. If no Datadog widget meets your requirements, in a new or pre-existing dashboard, click **Add Widgets**. 1. Click and drag the Wildcard Widget icon from the widget tray. +1. Select from the **Request Type** dropdown. For more information on Scalar and Timeseries types, see the [Formulas Scalar vs. Formulas Timeseries] section of this page. 1. Copy a Vega-Lite Definition from the [public gallery][5] to find a starter Vega-Lite specification. 1. Open the Wildcard widget [full screen editor][6] and click **Define Visual**. 1. Paste the copied Vega-Lite definition. @@ -41,6 +42,22 @@ However, if none of the Datadog widgets meets your visualization needs, a Wildca 1. (Optional) Debug Vega-Lite specification mismatches with [Data Preview](#data-preview). Make sure the query in your Vega-Lite specification maps to the Datadog query. 1. Click **Save**. +#### Formulas Scalar vs. Formulas Timeseries + +In Datadog dashboards, scalar and timeseries visualizations serve different purposes and are used to represent data in distinct ways. + +**Timeseries** +: This visualization is designed to display how your data changes over time. + - **Use-cases**: It's ideal for monitoring metrics that fluctuate, such as CPU usage, memory consumption, or request rates. It helps identify trends, patterns, and anomalies over a specified time range. + - **Appearance**: These visualizations are typically line or area charts. They show data points plotted against time (usually on the x-axis), making it easy to observe changes and trends. + +**Scalar** +: This visualization presents a single, aggregate value derived from your data. + - **Use-cases**: It's best for displaying key performance indicators (KPIs) or summary statistics such as averages, sums, or percentiles. It provides a summary view of the current state or a specific metric. + - **Appearance**: Scalars often appear as large, standalone numbers or small cards on dashboards, highlighting the most relevant statistics, like the current number of active users, or the sum of errors over the last hour. + +Timeseries visualizations emphasize data trends over time, scalar visualizations focus on presenting single, computed values that help with quick assessments. If you're going to visualize time on an axis, or need individual time buckets, choose the Timeseries type. However, if you're not vizualizing against time, choose the Scalar type as it's much more performant. + ### Import data from an existing widget 1. Copy from an existing Datadog widget using `cmd+c`. From 8ba49f78c05bebf76d2f497351f3f21dc12fb647 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Esther Kim Date: Fri, 15 Nov 2024 16:10:25 -0500 Subject: [PATCH 2/2] Apply suggestions from code review --- content/en/dashboards/widgets/wildcard.md | 4 ++-- 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-) diff --git a/content/en/dashboards/widgets/wildcard.md b/content/en/dashboards/widgets/wildcard.md index baca2e180919e..ec8d59e06c35b 100644 --- a/content/en/dashboards/widgets/wildcard.md +++ b/content/en/dashboards/widgets/wildcard.md @@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ However, if none of the Datadog widgets meets your visualization needs, a Wildca 1. [Check native widgets][4]. See if a Datadog widget can fulfill your requirements. 1. If no Datadog widget meets your requirements, in a new or pre-existing dashboard, click **Add Widgets**. 1. Click and drag the Wildcard Widget icon from the widget tray. -1. Select from the **Request Type** dropdown. For more information on Scalar and Timeseries types, see the [Formulas Scalar vs. Formulas Timeseries] section of this page. +1. Select from the **Request Type** dropdown. For more information on Scalar and Timeseries types, see the [Formulas Scalar vs. Formulas Timeseries](#formulas-scalar-vs-formulas-timeseries) section of this page. 1. Copy a Vega-Lite Definition from the [public gallery][5] to find a starter Vega-Lite specification. 1. Open the Wildcard widget [full screen editor][6] and click **Define Visual**. 1. Paste the copied Vega-Lite definition. @@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ In Datadog dashboards, scalar and timeseries visualizations serve different purp **Timeseries** : This visualization is designed to display how your data changes over time. - **Use-cases**: It's ideal for monitoring metrics that fluctuate, such as CPU usage, memory consumption, or request rates. It helps identify trends, patterns, and anomalies over a specified time range. - - **Appearance**: These visualizations are typically line or area charts. They show data points plotted against time (usually on the x-axis), making it easy to observe changes and trends. + - **Appearance**: These visualizations are typically line or area charts. They show datapoints plotted against time (usually on the x-axis), to observe changes and trends. **Scalar** : This visualization presents a single, aggregate value derived from your data.