How do you analyze time series data in 2024?

Question

I inherited a large time series JSON dataset in 2024. I've been successful in using the Observable Framework[1] by writing a Rust (rust-script) data loader[2] to parse and plot simple line charts[3] to visually see the data. There are hundreds of graphs over years of data so I would like to identify what graphs I should be paying attention to. My initial thought is to calculate metrics on each graph such as: - Variability: how "spread out" are the data points from one another? - Trend: direction of data path, up or down? - Slope: are the data points increasing or decreasing? - Level: where are the data points on the vertical axis? What libraries, AI, databases, etc... would you recommend that would allow me to calculate these values? I am no data scientist and don't need forecasting but overall, I just want a dashboard that shows the most "important" graphs.[1] https://observablehq.com/framework/[2] https://observablehq.com/framework/loaders[3] https://observablehq.com/@observablehq/plot-simple-line-chartedit: the x-axis is Time while the y-axis can be values such as duration, frequency, intervals

theGeatZhopa · Accepted Answer

I have the same problem. One thing I thought about is "visual comparison of my graphs" in style of Tinder, left swipe / right swipe. Divide & conquer.
Slope, trend and others seem not to fulfill my needings, as my data sometimes is similar. I doing it with weighted average right now.
But eager for other solutions. Let's hope you'll get a professional answer to your question.

lamename · Answer

There are common answers but it really depends on: What questions do you want the data to answer?

noduerme · Answer

A 2d graph can only include one of those four things on the Y-axis, if the X-axis is time.