When working with Julia, it is often necessary to display plots from the terminal. This can be achieved using the Gadfly package, which provides a powerful and flexible plotting system. In this article, we will explore three different ways to display plots from the terminal using Gadfly.
Option 1: Using the `display` function
The simplest way to display plots from the terminal is by using the `display` function provided by Gadfly. This function takes a plot object as input and renders it in the terminal.
using Gadfly
# Create a plot object
plot = plot(x=rand(10), y=rand(10), Geom.point)
# Display the plot in the terminal
display(plot)
This code snippet creates a scatter plot with random data points and displays it in the terminal using the `display` function. However, this method has a limitation – it only works in the Julia REPL and not in other environments.
Option 2: Saving plots as images
If you need to display plots in environments other than the Julia REPL, you can save the plots as images and then view them using an image viewer. Gadfly provides a convenient way to save plots as various image formats.
using Gadfly
# Create a plot object
plot = plot(x=rand(10), y=rand(10), Geom.point)
# Save the plot as a PNG image
draw(PNG("plot.png", 6inch, 4inch), plot)
This code snippet saves the plot as a PNG image named “plot.png” with a size of 6 inches by 4 inches. You can then open the image using an image viewer to see the plot. This method allows you to display plots in any environment that supports image viewing.
Option 3: Using the `plotdisplay` function
If you want a more interactive way to display plots from the terminal, you can use the `plotdisplay` function provided by Gadfly. This function opens a separate window and displays the plot in it.
using Gadfly
# Create a plot object
plot = plot(x=rand(10), y=rand(10), Geom.point)
# Display the plot in a separate window
plotdisplay(plot)
This code snippet opens a separate window and displays the plot in it. You can interact with the plot, zoom in/out, and save it as an image if needed. This method provides a more flexible and interactive way to display plots from the terminal.
After exploring these three options, it is clear that the best option depends on your specific requirements. If you only need to display plots in the Julia REPL, the `display` function is the simplest and most straightforward option. If you need to display plots in other environments, saving plots as images is a reliable choice. Finally, if you want a more interactive experience, the `plotdisplay` function is the way to go. Choose the option that best suits your needs and enjoy plotting with Gadfly in Julia!
