what's the difference between matplotlib.pyplot and matplotlib.figure?

Question

I'm just getting into matplotlib.

I see some examples of matplotlib.pyplot used, but when integrating matplotlib with wxpython i often see matplotlib.figure like

from matplotlib.figure import Figure

...

vboxFigure = wx.BoxSizer(wx.VERTICAL)
self.figure = Figure()
self.axes = self.figure.add_subplot(111)

t = [1,2,3,4,5]
s = [0,0,0,0,0]

self.axes.plot(t,s, 'b-')
self.canvas = FigureCanvas(panel, -1, self.figure)

vboxFigure.Add(self.canvas, 1, wx.LEFT | wx.TOP | wx.EXPAND)
hbox.Add(vboxFigure, 1, flag=wx.EXPAND)

What is the difference between plotting using matplotlib.figure and matplotlib.pyplot? Can matplotlib.pyplot be used in building a wx app?

Nearly all the examples I could find use figure but I had a basic working example with pyplot and just wanted to change the axis formatting. You don't have to use figure for that; see e.g. matplotlib.org/users/pyplot_tutorial.html — tripleee
– tripleee, Commented Feb 9, 2017 at 11:13
potentially duplication: What is the difference between drawing plots using plot, axes or figure in matplotlib? — Mario
– Mario, Commented Jul 27 at 11:57

Malihe Mahdavi sefat · Accepted Answer · 2024-06-16 06:47:40Z

2

matplotlib.pyplot is a collection of command style functions that make Matplotlib work like MATLAB. It is state-based interface to Matplotlib and provides a way to plot graphs in a procedural manner, which means it keeps track of things like the current figure and plotting area, and the plotting functions are directed to the current axes.

matplotlib.figure, on the other hand, refers to the whole figure or window where the axes, titles, legends and other elements reside. A Figure object is the outermost container for a matplotlib graphic, which can contain multiple Axes objects.

In short, pyplot is used for plotting, and figure is the container that holds these plots.

answered Jun 16, 2024 at 6:47

Malihe Mahdavi sefat

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1 Comment

Mario Jul 27 at 12:09

your answer sound's good but for me Gen-AI tool-generated content. Did you check that OP asked also "Can matplotlib.pyplot be used in building a wx app?"

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