Algorithm for “nice” grid line intervals on a graph

Question

I need a reasonably smart algorithm to come up with \"nice\" grid lines for a graph (chart).

For example, assume a bar chart with values of 10, 30, 72 and 60. You k

Answer 1

In R, use

tickSize <- function(range,minCount){
    logMaxTick <- log10(range/minCount)
    exponent <- floor(logMaxTick)
    mantissa <- 10^(logMaxTick-exponent)
    af <- c(1,2,5) # allowed factors
    mantissa <- af[findInterval(mantissa,af)]
    return(mantissa*10^exponent)
}

where range argument is max-min of domain.