Difference between Drawing plots using plot axes or figure in matplotlib

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Introduction

Matplotlib is a powerful and versatile Python library for creating static, animated, and interactive visualizations. At its core are two fundamental ways to create plots:

Pyplot Interface (plt): This is the simpler, state-based interface. It provides a quick and convenient way to generate plots with less code.
Object-Oriented Interface (Axes and Figure Objects): This interface offers more control and flexibility, especially when dealing with complex figures or multiple subplots.

Key Differences: plot, axes, and figure in Matplotlib

Feature	`plt.plot()` (Pyplot)	`ax.plot()` (Object-Oriented)	`fig = plt.figure()`
Underlying Object	Implicitly creates a Figure and Axes object if they don’t exist.	Requires an existing Axes object (`ax`) to plot on.	Creates a new Figure object, which is a container for all plot Elements (axes, etc.).
Simplicity	Simpler for single plots and quick visualizations.	More verbose, but offers greater control.	Useful for creating complex layouts and multiple subplots.
Flexibility	Limited flexibility, especially with multiple plots.	Highly flexible for complex figures and customizing individual plots.	High-level control over the entire figure.
Customization	Customization is done through `plt` functions (e.g., `plt.xlabel()`).	Customization is done directly on the Axes object (e.g., `ax.set_xlabel()`).	Customization of the overall figure (e.g., size, background color).

Advantages and Disadvantages

Interface	Advantages	Disadvantages
`plt.plot()`	– Quick and easy for simple plots.	– Limited flexibility for complex figures and multiple subplots.
`ax.plot()`	– Fine-grained control over plot elements.	– More verbose; requires creating and managing Figure and Axes objects.
`fig = plt.figure()`	– High-level control over the entire figure layout.	– May be overkill for simple plots.

Similarities

Both approaches ultimately generate plots using the same Matplotlib backend.
The functions used to create specific plot types (e.g., plot(), scatter(), bar()) are the same in both interfaces.

FAQs

Which interface should I use?
- If you need a quick plot or are just starting, plt.plot() is a good choice.
- For complex figures, multiple subplots, or fine-tuned customization, use the object-oriented approach.
Can I mix both interfaces?
- Yes, but it’s generally best to stick with one approach within a single figure to avoid confusion.
How do I add a title or labels using the object-oriented interface?
- Use the ax.set_title(), ax.set_xlabel(), and ax.set_ylabel() methods.

Example: Object-Oriented Plotting

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np

# Data
x = np.linspace(0, 10, 100)
y = np.sin(x)

# Create figure and axes objects
fig, ax = plt.subplots()  

# Plotting on the axes
ax.plot(x, y, label='sin(x)')
ax.plot(x, np.cos(x), label='cos(x)') 

# Customizing
ax.set_xlabel('x')
ax.set_ylabel('y')
ax.set_title('Trigonometric Functions')
ax.legend()

# Show plot
plt.show()

Let me know if you’d like more examples or specific use cases!