2D Data Plotting

Abstract

In this chapter, you will look at styles and techniques for plotting two-dimensional data. You will start with some simple plots and then progress to those that include multiple sets of data on the same plot. While Python contains specialized built-in functions that can be quite efficient at this, usually requiring only a few lines of code, you will find that you can embellish your plots by taking a more hands-on approach and being creative by supplementing the specialized Python functions with simple Python commands. For example, the plot in Figure 8-1 requires only three lines of specialized code after the setup and data has been entered. Figure 8-5, on the other hand, can be a challenge to create using just specialized Python commands, but that is how it has been done by Listing 8-5. The use of simple commands, plus a little creativity, can often make the job much easier and produce better results. Following simple data plots, you will move on to linear regression where you fit a straight line to a data set. You will then see how to fit non-linear mathematical functions to the data. The last thing you explore is splines. A spline is a smooth curve that passes through each data point.