Re: [Gnuplot-py-users] quick and dirty catch-all plot function

[John E F. <jf...@do...>]

Hi All,

I installed Gnuplot.py and I like it a lot. How about a really quick and 
easy routine to just plot a function or several functions. It seems like 
I am plotting things so much that I shouldn't have to write several 
lines of code to make it happen.  Perhaps it is already in there and I 
just don't know about it. Something sort of like this :

gplot(x,y) <- plots y vs x
gplot(x,y,with_='lines',title='my title') <- adds title and plots with lines
gplot(x,y,z) <- plots y and z versus x
gplot([1,2],sin) <- plots sin(x) from 1.0 to 2.0

and, the code might look something like this :

def gplot(*xy,**args) :
   """ routine for plotting a function using gnuplot directly from python
       usage: pass arguments in args. for with lines, do with_='lines'
       title = 'my title'
       xlabel= 'my xlabel',
       etc.
       if the persist option is false, then the plot will only last 
until the returned object is destroyed
       otherwise, the plot is forever.
   """
   try :
     if args.has_key('persist') :
       g = Gnuplot.Gnuplot(persist=args['persist']);
       del args['persist'];
     else : g = Gnuplot.Gnuplot(persist=True);
   except :
     from Gnuplot import Gnuplot,Data
     if args.has_key('persist') :
       g = Gnuplot(persist=args['persist']);
       del args['persist'];
     else : g = Gnuplot(persist=True);
   x = xy[0];
   if len(x) == 2 :              # fill up the range
     x = [x[0]+(x[1]-x[0])*0.005*i for i in range(201)];
   d = [];       # make an argument list for each plot function
   for yi in xy[1:] :
     if not (yi.__class__ is list or yi.__class__ is tuple) : yi = 
map(yi,x);
     if args.has_key('with_') :
       di = Data(x,yi,with_=args['with_']);
     else : di = Data(x,yi);
     d.append(di);
   if args.has_key('with_') : del args['with_'];
   return g.plot(*d,**args);


cheers,
John Field