I have an application that creates a log file of user activity such as connections, disconnections, queries, submissions, locks, etc. The log file records when each activity begins and ends. Multiple concurrent connections, queries, etc. can be taking place via different threads (which thread handled the request is also recorded with the begin and end log entries) The log files can grow very fast and can be difficult to cull through when things go wrong.
I'm looking for a way to graphically display the activity using c#. I'm thinking threads listed down the left (I can find out how many by skimming the log file) with bars to the right of the threads plotted on a timeline that represent activity. Since each thread is not continuously busy some activity may look like simply dots instead of bars depending on the time frame contained in the log.
Ideally, I'd be able to zoom the time frame to a problem section and the activity bars would re-plot to the new time frame.
Would I straight up use graphics to draw/plot the activity bars or is there a better approach? I've never used a slider or trackbar component so I'm not sure which would be better for "zooming" the plotted activity.
I'm most familiar with Form UI programming, but an open to anything. Any recommendations or suggestions are welcome.
Thanks.