Argos is a high-performance, multi-window system for data analysis and visualization, created by The Chi-Square Works, Inc. It is motivated by the need to quickly clear out the underbrush of numerous questions when data analysts are facing large, complex data sets. The goal of Argos is to provide swift, smooth interaction between you and database so that you could engross yourselves in the process of problem solving, not being distracted by how to get the right data.
Argos utilizes graphics extensively because graphics can let data talk for themselves and convey more information than simple numerical summaries. This is particularly important during the exploratory stage of data analysis. Considering components of graphical displays as visual representations of abstract entities (e.g., variables and data sets), Argos allows you to look at a plot and, by interacting with graphical symbols in the plot, retrieve data from the database. The data so retrieved can be passed to functions of the system by interactive graphics. The data retrieved and the analysis results generated in this way can be in the form of plots again and ready for further graphical manipulation.
Argos's ability of interactive graphical manipulations can greatly facilitate interaction between you and data sets. In addition, the processes of understanding the information contained in the data and extracting data from the database are integrated by interactive graphics.