How to Plot an Array in Python

Python, as a high-level programming language, is immensely popular among programmers for its simplicity and application to a wide range of fields–from web development to data analysis. One such application in the field of data analysis and visualization is plotting arrays. In this tutorial, you will learn how to plot an array using Python.

Step 1: Install the Necessary Libraries

To start, we need to import two essential libraries–Matplotlib and NumPy. Matplotlib is a plotting library for Python and NumPy is a numerical mathematics library that is great for working with arrays.

If you do not have these libraries installed on your system yet, you can do so via the pip package manager using the following commands in your terminal:

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pip install matplotlib numpy

Step 2: Import the Libraries

Once these libraries have been installed, the next step is to import them into your Python file. The following code snippet shows you how:

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import numpy as np
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

Step 3: Create the Array

Next, let’s create an array in Python. This is a simple operation with the aid of the NumPy library. Here we create an array of 100 numbers ranging from 0 to 20:

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x = np.linspace(0, 20, 100)

Step 4: Create the Plot

After initializing the array, we need to create the plot. We use the Matplotlib library for this:

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plt.plot(x, np.sin(x))
plt.show()

This script plots a sine curve using the values in your array.

Here is the full code:

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import numpy as np
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 
x = np.linspace(0, 20, 100)
plt.plot(x, np.sin(x))
plt.show()

Output:

You will see a plot of a sin wave from 0 to 20.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Python makes it very straightforward for programmers to plot arrays, especially with the use of the Matplotlib and NumPy libraries. In addition, plotting arrays can make data analysis and visualization far easier and more efficient. In this tutorial, you have learned how to plot an array in Python step-by-step. Continue exploring and practicing on other modules to build your expertise!