CONFUSION over meaning of 'shape' parameter of arrays for pcolor plot

I'm getting confused about meaning of shape parameter
of arrays used in a pcolor plot...

xarray= [ 0. 1.25 2.5 3.75 5. 0. 1.25 2.5 3.75 5.
0. 1.25 2 .5
         3.75 5. 0. 1.25 2.5 3.75 5. ]
yarray= [500 500 500 500 500 600 600 600 600 600 700 700 700 700 700
800 800 800 80 0
      800]
zarray= [...etc.]

This will create a proper pcolor plot with 4 rows and 5 columns
if I set all 3 array 'shapes' to be (4, 5).

What is confusing me is that if I want to SWAP xarray and yarray
in order to create a plot with 5 rows and 4 columns then
I MUST STILL SET 'shapes' TO BE (4,5).

'shapes' OF ARRAYS DOESN'T EQUAL DIMENSIONS OF PLOT!?!?
*This* is what is confusing me. I'm not sure what array 'shape'
means if it doesn't mean (# plot rows, # plot columns).

Any help greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Chris

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Christian Seberino, Ph.D.
SPAWAR Systems Center San Diego
Code 2872
49258 Mills Street, Room 158
San Diego, CA 92152-5385
U.S.A.

Phone: (619) 553-9973
Fax : (619) 553-6521
Email: seberino@...391...
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