hyperdxio / hyperdxio/hyperdx

Event Deltas: Heatmap symlog scale for zero-inclusive metrics

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Dominant language
TypeScript
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Description

Context

The current log-scale heatmap uses greatest(value, effectiveMin) to avoid log(0). This clamps all near-zero values into the bottom bucket, losing resolution. Similarly, values above p99 land in an overflow bucket at the top.

Proposal

Use a symlog (symmetric log) scale that smoothly transitions through zero:

  • sign(x) * log1p(|x|) — handles zero and negative values naturally
  • No clamping needed, so no data loss at the extremes
  • Well-established in matplotlib, d3, etc.

This would eliminate the need for effectiveMin and the greatest() workaround, while preserving log-scale benefits for the bulk of the distribution.

Bundle with

  • #1914 — overflow bucket indicators (related: once symlog removes clamping, overflow buckets become less of an issue, but visual indicators for quantile-clipped extremes are still valuable)

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Locate the current log-scale heatmap implementation and the use of effectiveMin and greatest(value, effectiveMin). Review how zero, negative, and extreme values are currently bucketed, then determine how a symlog scale and the related #1914 overflow indicators should behave. Done means zero-inclusive metrics retain resolution without clamping and the heatmap still communicates quantile-clipped extremes.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
typescript
Domain
data-visualization
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
5/5
Estimated time
Over a week
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
35/100

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