matplotlib-users

[Matplotlib-users] Re: Windose and Python

[Travis O. <oli...@ee...>]

Todd Pitts from Sandia asked me the following question.

>I have one final question about python on windows.  It seems
>that the non-interactive scripting works well enough.  However, I have
>not found a single interactive interpreter that I could recommend  to
>members of my group without serious reservations.  
>
>I have tried IPython,
>PyCrust (various), IDLE, Using it from within emacs (not cygwin emacs,
>just emacs under windows), PythonWin, etc.  They all have serious
>problems when it comes to usability.  Most don't have tab completion at
>all.   Most, (emacs included) don't work with any plotting package.  I
>have tried gist from scipy and matplotlib (doesn't work with anything
>except straight scripting). 
>
>Is python really this unusable for
>interactive data exploration and modeling under Windows?  
>

I'm forwarding it to these lists so that individuals with more 
experience on Windows than I have can respond to his request. 

What do people use on Windows for interactive work????

-Travis Oliphant

Re: [Matplotlib-users] Re: Windose and Python

[Darren D. <dd...@co...>]

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On Thursday 06 May 2004 09:13 pm, Travis Oliphant wrote:
> Todd Pitts from Sandia asked me the following question.
>
> >I have one final question about python on windows.  It seems
> >that the non-interactive scripting works well enough.  However, I have
> >not found a single interactive interpreter that I could recommend  to
> >members of my group without serious reservations.
> >
> >I have tried IPython,
> >PyCrust (various), IDLE, Using it from within emacs (not cygwin emacs,
> >just emacs under windows), PythonWin, etc.  They all have serious
> >problems when it comes to usability.  Most don't have tab completion at
> >all.   Most, (emacs included) don't work with any plotting package.  I
> >have tried gist from scipy and matplotlib (doesn't work with anything
> >except straight scripting).
> >
> >Is python really this unusable for
> >interactive data exploration and modeling under Windows?
>
> I'm forwarding it to these lists so that individuals with more
> experience on Windows than I have can respond to his request.
>
> What do people use on Windows for interactive work????
>
> -Travis Oliphant
>

I am new to Python, and have encountered some of these issues. Recently, th=
e=20
matplotlib list has had some discussion about interactive use. Others will=
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have better informed responses than I, but you should know that matplotlib=
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can be used with an interactive interpreter. If you are still interested (a=
nd=20
I encourage you to look into it) check the matplotlib website for more=20
information about interactive use.

I recently discovered SciTE/Scintilla, which is a code editor and is capabl=
e=20
of generating an API for python based on what modules are installed on your=
=20
system. There is a native version of SciTE for windows, and my initial=20
impression has been very good. The matplotlib module was recognized and onc=
e=20
the was generated (by running a python script), autocompletion is active.
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[Matplotlib-users] Re: [SciPy-user] Re: Windose and Python

[John H. <jdh...@ac...>]

>>>>> "Travis" == Travis Oliphant <oli...@ee...> writes:

    >> (emacs included) don't work with any plotting package.  I have
    >> tried gist from scipy and matplotlib (doesn't work with
    >> anything except straight scripting). Is python really this
    >> unusable for interactive data exploration and modeling under
    >> Windows?

    Travis> I'm forwarding it to these lists so that individuals with
    Travis> more experience on Windows than I have can respond to his
    Travis> request. What do people use on Windows for interactive
    Travis> work????

Have you tried matplotlib with the TkAgg backend using the standard
python shell, ipython or idle launched with -n?  Most people report
good luck on windows with one of these shells for interactive use,
particularly the first two.  The TkAgg backend is a fairly recent
addition, and a couple of settings in the matplotlib rc file will make
your experience a little more pleasant

backend      : TkAgg     
interactive  : True          
tk.window_focus   : True    # Maintain shell focus for TkAgg

Now when you fire up python or ipython and then import matplotlib,
you'll be in interactive mode using the Tkinter backend.  The window
focus setting is designed to keep your figure from taking the focus
when you issue plotting commands.

Admittedly scripting is the primary way most people use matplotlib,
but we've been working to make the interactive experience better.  So
if it's been a while since you tried it interactively on win32, it may
be worth a second look using a recent release.  It is important to
consult the backends section of the web page to make sure your IDE is
compatible with the backend you are using, however.  Finally, Todd
Miller, who developed the Tk backend, has been very responsive in
fixing known problems, so if you'll let us know what limitations you
find we'll do what we can to fix them up.

John Hunter

[Matplotlib-users] Re: [SciPy-user] Re: Windose and Python

[Fernando P. <fp...@co...>]

Travis Oliphant wrote:
> Todd Pitts from Sandia asked me the following question.
> 
> 
>>I have one final question about python on windows.  It seems
>>that the non-interactive scripting works well enough.  However, I have
>>not found a single interactive interpreter that I could recommend  to
>>members of my group without serious reservations.  
>>
>>I have tried IPython,
>>PyCrust (various), IDLE, Using it from within emacs (not cygwin emacs,
>>just emacs under windows), PythonWin, etc.  They all have serious
>>problems when it comes to usability.  Most don't have tab completion at
>>all.   Most, (emacs included) don't work with any plotting package.  I
>>have tried gist from scipy and matplotlib (doesn't work with anything
>>except straight scripting). 
>>
>>Is python really this unusable for
>>interactive data exploration and modeling under Windows?  

As the ipython (http://ipython.scipy.org) author I'm obviously biased, but 
Windows users seem fairly happy with it.  Using Gary Bishop's extensions, it 
is possible (it should basically work out of the box, though I don't know 
because I don't use Windows) to get readline and coloring support under a 
normal (non-cygwin) command shell.

Gary's tools are at:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/uncpythontools

I also imagine that using ipython within emacs as your python shell (which 
requires a special python-mode.el and ipython.el, available at 
http://ipython.scipy.org/dist/ipython-emacs-0.3.tgz) must be an option under 
Windows.  I've only used them under Linux, but since this is just regular 
Emacs lisp, I imagine it should be platform-independent.

I hope this helps.

Regards,

Fernando.

[Matplotlib-users] Re: [SciPy-user] Re: Windose and Python

[Fernando P. <fp...@co...>]

Travis Oliphant wrote:
> Todd Pitts from Sandia asked me the following question.

>>all.   Most, (emacs included) don't work with any plotting package.  I
>>have tried gist from scipy and matplotlib (doesn't work with anything
>>except straight scripting). 

Sorry for the 2nd post.  I forgot to mention plotting: ipython includes 
enhanced support for Gnuplot, with modifications to the interactive plotting 
syntax to make it as quick and easy to use as possible.  I use python 100% of 
the time I'm working on scientific code and data exploration, and my 
environment is: Xemacs for heavy editing, a terminal with ipython for 
interactive work, Gnuplot (with ipython's extensions) for 2d plotting and 
Mayavi (http://mayavi.sourceforge.net) for sophisticated data visualization. 
With Gnuplot 4.0's mouse support, it is an extremely convenient tool for fast 
data exploration, capable of publication-quality PostScript output.  Finally, 
for diagram generation and other problems of a graphical but not purely 
'plotting' nature, I have been very happy with PyX.

IPython was designed _specifically_ to make interactive scientific computing 
work as fluid as possible.  It has direct access to the underlying system 
shell, it remembers previous values (like Mathematica's %N variables), and has 
  many other features which you may find useful in this kind of context.

I haven't looked at matplotlib yet (I've been using gnuplot since the days of 
Windows 3.0), but I will very soon, and I have heard excellent things about 
it.  For those already familiar with matlab's syntax, this may be a better 
option than gnuplot.  If there are any problems with ipython's interaction 
with matplotlib, I'll gladly fix them if possible.

Regards,

Fernando.