What They Are and How to Create Them Without Code in 2025
Discover what Flame Charts are and why they're essential for performance analysis. Learn how to create one in minutes, no code required, starting from a simple CSV file.
Introduction
Is your application slow? Are you trying to figure out where performance bottlenecks are hiding in your software? If you've ever dealt with performance analysis, you've likely heard of Flame Charts. These seemingly complex graphs are actually one of the most powerful and intuitive tools for visualizing where time is being spent.
But here’s the good news: you don't need to be an expert engineer to use them. In this guide, we'll explain what they are and show you how you can create your own in under 5 minutes, using just your data and a no-code tool.
What is a Flame Chart? (The Simple Explanation)
Imagine you could take a "snapshot" of your software's activity over a period of time. A Flame Chart is exactly that: a visual map showing precisely which functions were executed and for how long.
- The X-axis represents time. The wider a bar is, the more time that specific operation took.
- The Y-axis represents the call stack. Functions at the top were called by the functions below them.
By looking at a Flame Chart, you can instantly spot the widest bars—those are your bottlenecks, the areas of your code that consume the most time and deserve your attention.
Why Are Flame Charts So Useful?
Traditional profiling methods can be difficult to interpret. Flame Charts, on the other hand, offer immediate advantages:
- Rapid Problem Identification: You instantly see where execution time is concentrated.
- Contextual Understanding: You understand not only which function is slow, but also what called it and why.
- Analysis for Everyone: Their visual nature makes them accessible even to non-coders, like product managers or analysts.
The Traditional Way vs. The Datastripes Way
Traditionally, generating a Flame Chart requires command-line tools, complex profilers, and a certain level of programming expertise. You have to install software, run commands, and hope the output is readable.
What if you could skip all of that?
With Datastripes, the entire process happens in your browser with a simple drag-and-drop interface.
How to Create a Flame Chart with Datastripes (in 3 Steps)
Let's say you've exported your profiling data to a CSV or JSON file. Here's all you need to do:
- Upload Your Data: Open Datastripes and drag your CSV file directly into the interface.
- Select the "Flame Chart" Node: From the node library, grab the "Flame Chart" node and place it on the canvas.
- Connect and Configure: Connect your data file to the node. Specify which columns contain the time and stack information.
That's it. Your interactive Flame Chart is ready to be explored. You can zoom, click, and analyze every detail, all without writing a single line of code.
Conclusion: Stop Guessing, Start Visualizing
Flame Charts transform performance analysis from an obscure art into an accessible, visual science. Don't let the complexity of traditional tools stop you from finding and fixing the bottlenecks that are slowing down your growth.
Ready to find the hidden bottlenecks in your data? Upload your file and create your first Flame Chart for free on Datastripes.