plot_network_evolution: Plot Network Evolution (Small Multiples)

In cograph: Analysis and Visualization of Complex Networks

Plot Network Evolution (Small Multiples)

Description

Displays a network at different time points side by side. Accepts an edge list data frame with a time column, or a pre-built list of networks. All panels share the same node layout for visual comparison.

Usage

plot_network_evolution(
  x,
  time = NULL,
  slices = NULL,
  cumulative = FALSE,
  labels = NULL,
  layout = "spring",
  ncol = NULL,
  node_size = 5,
  seed = 42,
  combined = TRUE,
  ...
)

Arguments

x	An edge list data frame with columns from, to, and a time column, OR a list of network objects (matrices, igraph, etc.).
time	Character. Name of the time/group column in x. Ignored if x is a list.
slices	Integer or NULL. Number of equal-width time bins. Default NULL uses unique values of the time column.
cumulative	Logical. If TRUE, each panel shows all edges up to that time point (growing network). If FALSE (default), each panel shows only edges from that period.
labels	Character vector of panel labels. Default NULL (auto from time values).
layout	Layout specification. Default "spring".
ncol	Integer. Grid columns. Default auto.
node_size	Numeric. Default 5.
seed	Integer or NULL. Default 42.
combined	Logical: when TRUE (default), arrange period panels in an internal grid via graphics::par(mfrow=...). Set to FALSE to draw into a layout the caller has already configured (e.g. via panel_layout()).
...	Additional arguments passed to splot.

Value

Invisible list of per-panel networks or edge-list data frames.

Examples

set.seed(1)
edges <- data.frame(
  from = sample(LETTERS[1:5], 30, replace = TRUE),
  to   = sample(LETTERS[1:5], 30, replace = TRUE),
  week = sample(1:4, 30, replace = TRUE))
cograph::plot_network_evolution(edges, time = "week")
cograph::plot_network_evolution(edges, time = "week", cumulative = TRUE)

cograph documentation built on May 31, 2026, 5:06 p.m.