How to Show Matplotlib Plots?

I am sure the configuration of matplotlib for python is correct since I have used it to plot some figures.

But today it just stop working for some reason. I tested it with really simple code like:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np
x = np.arange(0, 5, 0.1)
y = np.sin(x)
plt.plot(x, y)

There's no error but just no figure shown up.

I am using python 2.6, Eclipse in Ubuntu

1

6 Answers

In matplotlib you have two main options:

  1. Create your plots and draw them at the end:

    import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
    
    plt.plot(x, y)
    plt.plot(z, t)
    plt.show()
    
  2. Create your plots and draw them as soon as they are created:

    import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
    from matplotlib import interactive
    interactive(True)
    
    plt.plot(x, y)
    raw_input('press return to continue')
    
    plt.plot(z, t)
    raw_input('press return to end')
    
1

You must use plt.show() at the end in order to see the plot

0

In case anyone else ends up here using Jupyter Notebooks, you just need

%matplotlib inline

Purpose of "%matplotlib inline"

Save the plot as png

plt.savefig("temp.png")

plt.plot(X,y) function just draws the plot on the canvas. In order to view the plot, you have to specify plt.show() after plt.plot(X,y). So,

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
X = //your x
y = //your y
plt.plot(X,y)
plt.show()

You have to use show() methode when you done all initialisations in your code in order to see the complet version of plot:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

plt.plot(x, y)
................
................
plot.show()

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Sarah Jenkins

Sarah Jenkins

Senior Technology Editor & AI Specialist

Sarah Jenkins is a veteran tech journalist with over 12 years of experience covering artificial intelligence, mobile innovations, and digital ethics. Her insights have appeared in leading technology publications worldwide.

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