>> If you were going to get started doing some simple plotting with Python >> 2.7 (in my case, I'm simply plotting temperature against time-of-day) >> what would you use? >> >> - matplotlib [1] >> - gnuplot [2] >> - something else entirely? >> >> Assume no substantial familiarity with the underlying plotting software, >> let alone the Python bindings. >> >> The only thing I can think of that might be special is to specify the >> upper/lower bounds of the plot; for example, in my case, I know the >> temperatures vary between somewhere around 70-78 degrees F., so I'd want >> the Y-axis to go, say 60-90, not arbitrarily start at zero; but I >> suspect this is a pretty standard thing in almost any plotting package. >> >> [1] http://matplotlib.org/api/pyplot_api.html >> [2] http://gnuplot-py.sourceforge.net/ > > matplotlib, I gave up gnuplot in favour of it maybe 15 years ago and have > never > looked back.
I think my transition was later and I'm modestly bilingual with these tools. However, in principle, I agree with Mark--IF you are primarily using Python as your tool for massaging and exploring data. If you are, then I might add one more suggestion. There's a project called 'IPython' [0] which has built a very nicely extended and richer interactive interface to the Python interpreter. You can use IPython as a replacement for the Python interactive shell. I have for years, and it's wonderful (even though, I also use the interactive shell that ships with the system supplied Python I use). Why am I talking about IPython? Aside from other benefits, the IPython Notebook [1] is directly useful to those who are also matplotlib users, because it allows you to record an entire analysis session, display graphics inline (see macro "%matplotlib inline") and then later, share the data explorations in a web browser. N.B. I have not found any running, public IPython Notebooks. This doesn't surprise me, because of the security risks of allowing just anybody access to a Python instance is like letting strangers into your kitchen. They might eat all of your food, or try to crack that safe behind the portrait in the dining room. http://calebmadrigal.com/graph-ipython-notebook/ So, if I were in your shoes, starting today, I'd install IPython and matplotlib and then fire up the IPython Notebook on my local machine, type '%matplotlib inline' and start trying to display my data. One nice feature of matplotlib is that it autoscales by default. So, if all of your values (temperature) are within the range you want to display, you don't need to mess with the axes. See their tutorial: http://matplotlib.org/users/pyplot_tutorial.html Good luck and enjoy! -Martin [0] http://ipython.org/ [1] http://ipython.org/notebook.html -- Martin A. Brown http://linux-ip.net/ _______________________________________________ Tutor maillist - Tutor@python.org To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/tutor
