This Matplotlib Get Started lesson is for a beginner. Read the short notes, run each example, then change one name or number and run it again.
Install Matplotlib into the same virtual environment as the project. Import pyplot, which is the module most examples call.
Check the install from a terminal with python -m pip show matplotlib. This page cannot install it for you.
Example 1: Start here
Run the install command in a terminal, not in the try-it editor.
print("python -m pip install matplotlib") # print writes this; the quotes are not shown
print("import matplotlib.pyplot as plt")
Example 2: List the points
Matplotlib Get Started draws points. Printing each pair lets you check the data before a chart library plots it.
points = [(1, 35), (2, 12), (3, 18)] # a list; the values stay in this order
for x, y in points: # repeat the indented lines once per value
print(x, y) # a comma prints each value, with a space between
Example 3: Find the highest bar
The tallest bar is the largest number. max does that lookup.
heights = [35, 12, 18] # a list; the values stay in this order
print(max(heights)) # the largest value
Example 4: Label each point
A chart label belongs with its number. zip keeps each day next to its height.
labels = ["Mon", "Tue", "Wed"] # a list; the values stay in this order
heights = [35, 12, 18] # a list; the values stay in this order
for label, height in zip(labels, heights): # repeat the indented lines once per value
print(label, height) # a comma prints each value, with a space between
Run the install command in a terminal, not in the try-it editor.
