How important is it to use timestamps as X-coordinates in PHP data visualization libraries like JPGraph?

Using timestamps as X-coordinates in PHP data visualization libraries like JPGraph is crucial for accurately representing time-based data. Timestamps ensure that data points are plotted at the correct time intervals, allowing for accurate analysis and interpretation of trends over time. To use timestamps as X-coordinates in JPGraph, you can convert your date/time values to Unix timestamps before passing them to the library for plotting.

// Sample data with timestamps as X-coordinates
$data = array(
    strtotime('2022-01-01'),
    strtotime('2022-02-01'),
    strtotime('2022-03-01'),
    strtotime('2022-04-01')
);

// Sample Y-coordinates
$values = array(10, 20, 15, 25);

// Plotting the data using JPGraph
$graph = new Graph(800, 400);
$graph->SetScale('datlin');
$lineplot = new LinePlot($values, $data);
$graph->Add($lineplot);
$graph->Stroke();