VegaLitebut

VegaLitebut is a hypothetical visualization grammar conceived as an experimental alternative to Vega-Lite, intended to explore simplified authoring patterns and pragmatic exceptions to declarative chart specifications. The name plays on Vega-Lite while signaling a focus on "but" — small, deliberate deviations from strict grammar constraints to improve ergonomics for end users.

Design goals emphasize brevity, interactive defaults, and graceful handling of ambiguous inputs. VegaLitebut is described as using a JSON-like schema but allowing higher-level shorthand, implicit type inference, and optional natural-language snippets that map to complete specifications. It targets analysts and application developers who prioritize fast prototyping over exhaustive explicitness.

Key features imagined for VegaLitebut include compact encodings for common chart types, built-in sensible interactions (pan, zoom, tooltips), automatic scale and axis adjustments, and configurable fallbacks when incomplete metadata is supplied. Extension points are proposed for custom marks and runtime plugins that transform shorthand into full specifications.

Usage scenarios highlight rapid dashboard mockups, teaching environments, and data exploration workflows where lowering the cognitive load of specification increases productivity. Compatibility is envisaged through converters that translate VegaLitebut shorthand into standard Vega-Lite or Vega for rendering.

As a conceptual project, VegaLitebut serves to stimulate discussion about trade-offs between declarative rigor and authoring convenience. Potential criticisms include reduced transparency of generated specifications and challenges in maintaining predictable behavior across edge cases.