How Does One Learn to Use MatPlotLib?

Subject is the question.

As I see it, it's useful to know MatLab. A simple query with matplotlib tutorial shows a number of hits. The first, reference to v0.99.a documentation barely qualifies. Examples galore and a pretty minimal introduction. In the first 10 or so hits ther's a blog and mention of a video. The blog may appeal to some, but it seems unelementary. The video basically asks to sign in. Who knows where that goes? I've seen a few videos for MPL, but they all look tied into $$.

I've made some reasonable progress on MPL, but am still far short of being confident of using it. Too much try this and see.

I know of exactly one book on MPL ( for scientists. sounds interesting). It was published recently by a foreign author. It is not yet widely distributed.

Your turn. Comments?

···

--
"Crime is way down. War is declining. And that's far from the good news." -- Steven Pinker (and other sources) Why is this true, but yet the media says otherwise? The media knows very well how to manipulate us (see limbic, emotion, $$). -- WTW

Have you read the manual itself? I found that quite helpful in getting started:

http://matplotlib.sourceforge.net/users/index.html

I've been satisfied with learning a bit here and there as I go. It's
a big project, and I don't expect to understand it all at once. But,
that said, even with a partial understanding I'm pleased at what it
can do for my needs. What I find is first you should determine what
is the desired outcome you want, then Google around for mentions of
this in old threads or on the matplotlib site, then maybe try asking
for assistance on the list.

Che

···

<sierra_mtnview@...209...> wrote:

Subject is the question.

As I see it, it's useful to know MatLab. A simple query with matplotlib
tutorial shows a number of hits. The first, reference to v0.99.a
documentation barely qualifies. Examples galore and a pretty minimal
introduction. In the first 10 or so hits ther's a blog and mention of a
video. The blog may appeal to some, but it seems unelementary. The video
basically asks to sign in. Who knows where that goes? I've seen a few
videos for MPL, but they all look tied into $$.

I've made some reasonable progress on MPL, but am still far short of
being confident of using it. Too much try this and see.

I know of exactly one book on MPL ( for scientists. sounds interesting).
It was published recently by a foreign author. It is not yet widely
distributed.

Your turn. Comments?

For me best way to learn is to use it actually :slight_smile: Especially on homework and projects. Mailing lists are also very helpful as you are already doing.

Try with ipython --pylab option.

Also check SciPy09 (http://conference.scipy.org/SciPy2009/) videos. There are one introductory and advanced tutorials that you can see online (without registering) or downloading to your computer.

···

On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 8:15 PM, Wayne Watson <sierra_mtnview@…209…> wrote:

Subject is the question.

As I see it, it’s useful to know MatLab. A simple query with matplotlib

tutorial shows a number of hits. The first, reference to v0.99.a

documentation barely qualifies. Examples galore and a pretty minimal

introduction. In the first 10 or so hits ther’s a blog and mention of a

video. The blog may appeal to some, but it seems unelementary. The video

basically asks to sign in. Who knows where that goes? I’ve seen a few

videos for MPL, but they all look tied into $$.

I’ve made some reasonable progress on MPL, but am still far short of

being confident of using it. Too much try this and see.

I know of exactly one book on MPL ( for scientists. sounds interesting).

It was published recently by a foreign author. It is not yet widely

distributed.

Your turn. Comments?

"Crime is way down. War is declining. And that’s far from the good

news." – Steven Pinker (and other sources) Why is this true, but yet

the media says otherwise? The media knows very well how to manipulate us

(see limbic, emotion, $$). – WTW


SOLARIS 10 is the OS for Data Centers - provides features such as DTrace,

Predictive Self Healing and Award Winning ZFS. Get Solaris 10 NOW

http://p.sf.net/sfu/solaris-dev2dev


Matplotlib-users mailing list

Matplotlib-users@lists.sourceforge.net

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Gökhan

Thanks for the info. I’m semi-resistant to ipython. I tried if for a
few hours, and it seemed a bit too much like linux. Years ago I used
linux a lot, and enjoyed it. I’ll consider it. Windows is the game now.

Yes, actual use is good, but the needed imports seem a bit baffling.
scipy, pylab, matplotlib, …? What components do I only need for a
particular use?

The videos you mentioned could be helpful.

I do not belong to any group, and my small town is a long way from any
educational resources.What I learn is from a few books, FAQs, and
recently the MPL Guide. Within a 50 mile radius, I know exactly one
other person who knows Python. He’s a very bright high school student.

···

“Crime is way down. War is declining. And that’s far from the good
news.” – Steven Pinker (and other sources)
Why is this true, but yet the media says otherwise? The media
knows very well how to manipulate us (see limbic, emotion, $$). – WTW

Well, here's an interesting twist on help, PUG, Python Users Groups. A world wide list is at <http://wiki.python.org/moin/LocalUserGroups>., The nearest one to me is near San Jose, CA about 180 miles from here, and meets the fourth Thursday of the month. Fortunately, I travel down there fairly often to visit friends and family. I think I'll mark my calendar.

···

--
"Crime is way down. War is declining. And that's far from the good news." -- Steven Pinker (and other sources) Why is this true, but yet the media says otherwise? The media knows very well how to manipulate us (see limbic, emotion, $$). -- WTW

Not read it myself but 'Matplotlib for Python Developers' might be what
you're after - see review Book review: Matplotlib for Python Developers « dale lane

Best way to learn Matplotlib is to use a good IDE like Spyder. I find it
much easier than IPython. Google Code Archive - Long-term storage for Google Code Project Hosting.

Installing Python(x,y) is the easiest way to set it all up.

Doug

Wayne Watson wrote:

···

Thanks for the info. I'm semi-resistant to ipython. I tried if for a
few hours, and it seemed a bit too much like linux. Years ago I used
linux a lot, and enjoyed it. I'll consider it. Windows is the game now.

Yes, actual use is good, but the needed imports seem a bit baffling.
scipy, pylab, matplotlib, ...? What components do I only need for a
particular use?

The videos you mentioned could be helpful.

I do not belong to any group, and my small town is a long way from any
educational resources.What I learn is from a few books, FAQs, and
recently the MPL Guide. Within a 50 mile radius, I know exactly one
other person who knows Python. He's a very bright high school student.

On 2/9/2010 10:33 PM, Gökhan Sever wrote:

  On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 8:15 PM, Wayne Watson > &lt; sierra_mtnview@...209... &gt; > wrote:
  Subject
is the question.
    
As I see it, it's useful to know MatLab. A simple query with matplotlib
tutorial shows a number of hits. The first, reference to v0.99.a
documentation barely qualifies. Examples galore and a pretty minimal
introduction. In the first 10 or so hits ther's a blog and mention of a
video. The blog may appeal to some, but it seems unelementary. The video
basically asks to sign in. Who knows where that goes? I've seen a few
videos for MPL, but they all look tied into $$.
    
I've made some reasonable progress on MPL, but am still far short of
being confident of using it. Too much try this and see.
    
I know of exactly one book on MPL ( for scientists. sounds interesting).
It was published recently by a foreign author. It is not yet widely
distributed.
    
Your turn. Comments?
    --
"Crime is way down. War is declining. And that's far from the good
news." -- Steven Pinker (and other sources) Why is this true, but yet
the media says otherwise? The media knows very well how to manipulate us
(see limbic, emotion, $$). -- WTW
    
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOLARIS 10 is the OS for Data Centers - provides features such as
DTrace,
Predictive Self Healing and Award Winning ZFS. Get Solaris 10 NOW
    http://p.sf.net/sfu/solaris-dev2dev
_______________________________________________
Matplotlib-users mailing list
    Matplotlib-users@lists.sourceforge.net
    matplotlib-users List Signup and Options
    
For me best way to learn is to use it actually :slight_smile: Especially on
homework and projects. Mailing lists are also very helpful as you are
already doing.
  
Try with ipython --pylab option.
  
Also check SciPy09 ( /SciPy2009 : FrontPage )
videos. There are one introductory and advanced tutorials that you can
see online (without registering) or downloading to your computer.
  
--
Gökhan

--
"Crime is way down. War is declining. And that's far from the good
news." -- Steven Pinker (and other sources)
Why is this true, but yet the media says otherwise? The media
knows very well how to manipulate us (see limbic, emotion, $$). -- WTW

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOLARIS 10 is the OS for Data Centers - provides features such as DTrace,
Predictive Self Healing and Award Winning ZFS. Get Solaris 10 NOW
http://p.sf.net/sfu/solaris-dev2dev
_______________________________________________
Matplotlib-users mailing list
Matplotlib-users@lists.sourceforge.net
matplotlib-users List Signup and Options

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I'm beginning to read aboutPython OOP, classes, inheritance and the like. It seems like an understanding of those concepts is key to understanding how the import needs are met.

···

--
"Crime is way down. War is declining. And that's far from the good news." -- Steven Pinker (and other sources) Why is this true, but yet the media says otherwise? The media knows very well how to manipulate us (see limbic, emotion, $$). -- WTW