Development Lines Generator
Create branching development lines as PNG for Linux distributions, product families, language families and software fork chains with parent-child relations.
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The result will appear here …
How to use this tool (video)
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Development Lines Generator: Branching Lineage as a Graphic
Some things only make sense with branches: Linux distributions descend from one another, product families share origins, languages form families, and software projects split into forks. A development lines generator makes such relationships visible. Instead of a flat list you get a branching graphic with parent-child relations, a time axis and coloured lines. You download the result as a PNG, all in your browser.
How to create development lines
One node per line, separated by a pipe: id, name, start, end, parent-id and an optional icon. For example debian | Debian | 1993 | | | or ubuntu | Ubuntu | 2004 | | debian. The id is a short key; parent-id names which node this branch descends from. Leave the end empty if a branch runs to today (it gets an arrow head), and leave parent-id empty for a root node.
Example: Linux distributions
Start with the root node linux | Linux | 1991 | | |. From it branch Debian and Slackware (1993), from Debian later Ubuntu (2004) and from Ubuntu again Linux Mint (2006). The tool assigns each node its own lane automatically, draws connector lines to the parent node and renders a time axis along the bottom. You see at a glance who descends from whom and when each branch began.
When is this view worth it?
A branching view beats a flat list when lineage and splitting are the actual information. That applies to software distributions, a company's product lines, language families or fork chains. If you only want stations without branching, the Timeline or Company History generator is the better choice. For a classic family pedigree with generations, use the Family Tree generator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Development Lines Generator for?
For any branching development lines: Linux distributions, product families, language families, software fork chains or organizational history. Parent-child relations are drawn as a branching graphic with a time axis.
What is the input format?
One node per line: id, name, start, end, parent-id, icon. Separated by a pipe. Start is required; end and parent-id are optional.
What does parent-id mean?
Parent-id is the key of the node this branch descends from. It determines which parent node a connector line is drawn to. An empty field means: root node without a parent.
What happens if I leave the end empty?
An empty end means the branch runs to today. It is drawn to the right edge and marked open with an arrow head.
Is my data sent to a server?
No. The graphic is drawn with the Canvas API directly in your browser. Your input is not transmitted and not stored.