Re: What would you like to see in a book about Matplotlib?
On Sun, Jan 11, 2009 at 18:50, Dotan Cohen wrote: > 2009/1/11 Sandro Tosi : >>> I would suggest at least a chapter on _acquiring_ the data that is to >>> be plotted using Python to scrape different sources _not_designed_ to >>> be scraped. Online webpages come to mind. An example on retrieving, >>> for instance, the prices of varying currencies, parsing the HTML >>> pages, extracting the data, and then plotting it would be a great >>> example for a real worlds usage that show matplotlib as a tool in a >>> toolchain, not a means to an end. >> >> Well, a whole chapter to this is a little too much, but such examples >> will be presented in the book: we're not going to teach how to program >> in Python, but how to use matplotlib, so the data retriving is a >> little out-of-scope (or at least border-line), so the code will be in >> the examples provided along with the book, but not deeply explained in >> the book text. > > The problem with that approach is that you limit your audience to people who: > 1) Are interested in matplotlab > -AND- > 2) Are already familiar with Python That is exactly the target the editor wants to reach... > For every AND clause you remove you broaden the book's audience. You > do not need to rewrite the book on Python programming or programming > in general, but getting a C or even PHP programmer up to speed on the > basics of Python as related to matplotlib will make the book much more > accessible. At a minimum, it will add another valuable chapter to the > book that can be safely ignored by Python gurus. And you are making > the book that much more accessible. I will try to ask this, but they were really clear that knowing python is a prerequisite of the book readers. -- Sandro Tosi (aka morph, morpheus, matrixhasu) My website: http://matrixhasu.altervista.org/ Me at Debian: http://wiki.debian.org/SandroTosi -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
Re: What would you like to see in a book about Matplotlib?
2009/1/11 Sandro Tosi : >> I would suggest at least a chapter on _acquiring_ the data that is to >> be plotted using Python to scrape different sources _not_designed_ to >> be scraped. Online webpages come to mind. An example on retrieving, >> for instance, the prices of varying currencies, parsing the HTML >> pages, extracting the data, and then plotting it would be a great >> example for a real worlds usage that show matplotlib as a tool in a >> toolchain, not a means to an end. > > Well, a whole chapter to this is a little too much, but such examples > will be presented in the book: we're not going to teach how to program > in Python, but how to use matplotlib, so the data retriving is a > little out-of-scope (or at least border-line), so the code will be in > the examples provided along with the book, but not deeply explained in > the book text. > The problem with that approach is that you limit your audience to people who: 1) Are interested in matplotlab -AND- 2) Are already familiar with Python For every AND clause you remove you broaden the book's audience. You do not need to rewrite the book on Python programming or programming in general, but getting a C or even PHP programmer up to speed on the basics of Python as related to matplotlib will make the book much more accessible. At a minimum, it will add another valuable chapter to the book that can be safely ignored by Python gurus. And you are making the book that much more accessible. -- Dotan Cohen http://what-is-what.com http://gibberish.co.il א-ב-ג-ד-ה-ו-ז-ח-ט-י-ך-כ-ל-ם-מ-ן-נ-ס-ע-ף-פ-ץ-צ-ק-ר-ש-ת ا-ب-ت-ث-ج-ح-خ-د-ذ-ر-ز-س-ش-ص-ض-ط-ظ-ع-غ-ف-ق-ك-ل-م-ن-ه-و-ي А-Б-В-Г-Д-Е-Ё-Ж-З-И-Й-К-Л-М-Н-О-П-Р-С-Т-У-Ф-Х-Ц-Ч-Ш-Щ-Ъ-Ы-Ь-Э-Ю-Я а-б-в-г-д-е-ё-ж-з-и-й-к-л-м-н-о-п-р-с-т-у-ф-х-ц-ч-ш-щ-ъ-ы-ь-э-ю-я ä-ö-ü-ß-Ä-Ö-Ü -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
Re: What would you like to see in a book about Matplotlib?
Hi Dotan, On Jan 11, 10:02 am, "Dotan Cohen" wrote: > 2009/1/5 Sandro Tosi : > > Your suggestions are really appreciated :) And wish me good luck! > > I wish you good luck! Thanks you :) > I would suggest at least a chapter on _acquiring_ the data that is to > be plotted using Python to scrape different sources _not_designed_ to > be scraped. Online webpages come to mind. An example on retrieving, > for instance, the prices of varying currencies, parsing the HTML > pages, extracting the data, and then plotting it would be a great > example for a real worlds usage that show matplotlib as a tool in a > toolchain, not a means to an end. Well, a whole chapter to this is a little too much, but such examples will be presented in the book: we're not going to teach how to program in Python, but how to use matplotlib, so the data retriving is a little out-of-scope (or at least border-line), so the code will be in the examples provided along with the book, but not deeply explained in the book text. Thanks, Sandro -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
Re: What would you like to see in a book about Matplotlib?
Hello Thomas, thanks for your reply. On Jan 7, 5:11 pm, Thomas Guettler wrote: > Sandro Tosi schrieb: > > - what are you using matplotlib for? > > I use the API to create PNGs from data stored in postgres. Webframework: > Django. Nice, I plan to make some examples of web embedding of mpl, and one of the frameworks is Django. > > - what are the (basic) things that, when you were beginning to use > > matplotlib, you wanted to see grouped up but couldn't find? > > The API is not good documented. It was very hard for me to understand > what was going on the source. > > > - what would you like to see in a book about matplotlib? > > How to use the API. Of course we will follow a gradual path, introducing simple apis and then going deeper in the advanced features. So, if you mean API as "pyplot.figure()" and so, they'll be covered :) Thanks, Sandro -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
Re: What would you like to see in a book about Matplotlib?
Hi James, thanks for getting back to me. On Jan 6, 9:33 am, James Stroud wrote: > Sandro Tosi wrote: > > - what are the things you like the most of matplotlib, that you want > > to give emphasis to? And why? > > The ability to embed a figure (composed of subplots) into a custom > window is my favorite aspect. Do you mean embed the figure in an application or simply a figure with several subplots in it? > Also: massive configurability of plots, > event driven plot canvas, antigrain geometry antialiasing are also all > very important. Additionally the toolbar of standard interactive > functions and the ability to export plots in a variety of formats are > also invaluable features. > > > - what are the (basic) things that, when you were beginning to use > > matplotlib, you wanted to see grouped up but couldn't find? > > The documentation for basic plot configuration, especially for embedded > plots, and also tapping into the event model is very weak currently. > These need the most improvement. What do you mean by "event model"? > > - what would you like to see in a book about matplotlib? > > A big, huge, gigantic, chapter---no make that 3 chapters--on programming > interactivity with the plot canvas. Big chapters a harder to read. And what exactly do you mean by "interactivity"? > > Your suggestions are really appreciated :) And wish me good luck! > > Good luck! I can't wait to read your book! Thanks! Sandro -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
Re: What would you like to see in a book about Matplotlib?
2009/1/5 Sandro Tosi : > Hello and Happy 2009! > > I received the interesting proposal to author a book on Matplotlib, > the powerful 2D plotting library for Python. > > While preparing the arguments list, I'd like to hear even your > opinion, because different points-of-view will lead to a better > product. > > Some basic question I'd like to ask are: > > - what are you using matplotlib for? > - what are the things you like the most of matplotlib, that you want > to give emphasis to? And why? > - what are the (basic) things that, when you were beginning to use > matplotlib, you wanted to see grouped up but couldn't find? > - what would you like to see in a book about matplotlib? > - what are some those advanced feature that made you yell "WOW!!" ? > - what are the things you'd like to explore of matplotlib and never > had time to do? > > Your suggestions are really appreciated :) And wish me good luck! I wish you good luck! I would suggest at least a chapter on _acquiring_ the data that is to be plotted using Python to scrape different sources _not_designed_ to be scraped. Online webpages come to mind. An example on retrieving, for instance, the prices of varying currencies, parsing the HTML pages, extracting the data, and then plotting it would be a great example for a real worlds usage that show matplotlib as a tool in a toolchain, not a means to an end. -- Dotan Cohen http://what-is-what.com http://gibberish.co.il א-ב-ג-ד-ה-ו-ז-ח-ט-י-ך-כ-ל-ם-מ-ן-נ-ס-ע-ף-פ-ץ-צ-ק-ר-ש-ת ا-ب-ت-ث-ج-ح-خ-د-ذ-ر-ز-س-ش-ص-ض-ط-ظ-ع-غ-ف-ق-ك-ل-م-ن-ه-و-ي А-Б-В-Г-Д-Е-Ё-Ж-З-И-Й-К-Л-М-Н-О-П-Р-С-Т-У-Ф-Х-Ц-Ч-Ш-Щ-Ъ-Ы-Ь-Э-Ю-Я а-б-в-г-д-е-ё-ж-з-и-й-к-л-м-н-о-п-р-с-т-у-ф-х-ц-ч-ш-щ-ъ-ы-ь-э-ю-я ä-ö-ü-ß-Ä-Ö-Ü -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
Re: What would you like to see in a book about Matplotlib?
Hello Marco, thanks for your reply (and sorry for my late one) On Jan 6, 9:26 am, Marco Nawijn wrote: > On Jan 5, 10:57 am, Sandro Tosi wrote: > I am happy to hear that there might be a book on Matplotlib. I am > using Matplotlib for a while now and find it a very usefull and > powerfull library for generating graphs. I will try to answer some of > your questions. I am by no means an expert in the field, so I only > express my personal experience. And that's fine, because the audience of the book is people that have never seen matplotlib and wanted to learn it. > >> What are you using matplotlib for? I currently use Matplotlib to generate > >> a series of graphs that visualise data channels (strain measurements) > >> during a structural test. These graphs need to be refreshed about every 4 > >> seconds. Each of the graphs contains 1 to 6 curves. Just out of curiosity: how do you refresh those plots? in a loop closing/opening the figure or clear the figure and replot on it? are those graphs embedded in an application or are just "shown on screen"? > >> What are the things you like the most of matplotlib, that you want > > to give emphasis to? And why? In general I like the most the fact that > I can generate high quality publication ready graphs with a consistent > look with minimal effort. Indeed, that's one of the reason for its use in so many scientific environments. > Further, although the matlab-style commands > are very usefull I think the class interface is more powerfull. The > class interface also has a steeper learning curve. So, for me it would > be very interesting if much emphasis will be on the class interface. Yes, we will show the "class" interface during the examples, while showing the difference just for the sake of completeness. > >> What are the (basic) things that, when you were beginning to use > > matplotlib, you wanted to see grouped up but couldn't find? I > seriously hope the book is not for "dummies", as already said, this bug is intended to people that knows nothing about mpl, so an introductory part will begin the book. > but provides at least a > significant amount of information on more advanced features of > Matplotlib. and we will try to show as much features as possible, even the advanced one. > I think the currently available tutorials are sufficient > to getting started. From my point of view I am very interested in: > - Dynamically updating a series of graphs > - Configuring layout of graphs (colors, labels, legends, etc.) > - Managing dimensions of the figure when you export the figure to > e.g PNG. For me this is interesting in the sense that if I insert a > figure in a report/paper, I would like that the fonts used in the > graph remain proportional to the surrounding text. Those will be surely in the book :) > If you need more information please let me know. Well, whatever comes to mind, please let me know :) > I wish you good luck! Cheers, Sandro -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
Re: What would you like to see in a book about Matplotlib?
Sandro Tosi schrieb: > Some basic question I'd like to ask are: > > - what are you using matplotlib for? I use the API to create PNGs from data stored in postgres. Webframework: Django. > - what are the (basic) things that, when you were beginning to use > matplotlib, you wanted to see grouped up but couldn't find? The API is not good documented. It was very hard for me to understand what was going on the source. > - what would you like to see in a book about matplotlib? How to use the API. Thomas -- Thomas Guettler, http://www.thomas-guettler.de/ E-Mail: guettli (*) thomas-guettler + de -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
Re: What would you like to see in a book about Matplotlib?
Sandro Tosi wrote: Hello and Happy 2009! I received the interesting proposal to author a book on Matplotlib, the powerful 2D plotting library for Python. While preparing the arguments list, I'd like to hear even your opinion, because different points-of-view will lead to a better product. Some basic question I'd like to ask are: - what are you using matplotlib for? Matplot lib shines for interactive environments wherein graphs and charts must be produced. I have incorporated it into a simple program for analysis of fluorometric data: http://fluorit.bravais.net/ (The forthcoming version 1.0 is a quantum improvement in speed and function over the SLOW *prototype* version 0.9 currently available--see the wish list, feature requests, and known issues for details. Version 1.0 is very fast.) - what are the things you like the most of matplotlib, that you want to give emphasis to? And why? The ability to embed a figure (composed of subplots) into a custom window is my favorite aspect. Also: massive configurability of plots, event driven plot canvas, antigrain geometry antialiasing are also all very important. Additionally the toolbar of standard interactive functions and the ability to export plots in a variety of formats are also invaluable features. - what are the (basic) things that, when you were beginning to use matplotlib, you wanted to see grouped up but couldn't find? The documentation for basic plot configuration, especially for embedded plots, and also tapping into the event model is very weak currently. These need the most improvement. - what would you like to see in a book about matplotlib? A big, huge, gigantic, chapter---no make that 3 chapters--on programming interactivity with the plot canvas. - what are some those advanced feature that made you yell "WOW!!" ? I listed them above, but my most "WOW" moment was when I saw the Tkinter backend doing beautiful antialiasing. I was also very happy to seamlessly add new functionality to the toolbar. - what are the things you'd like to explore of matplotlib and never had time to do? I want to program a lot of interactivity with the plots in my current application. Your suggestions are really appreciated :) And wish me good luck! Good luck! I can't wait to read your book! James -- James Stroud UCLA-DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics Box 951570 Los Angeles, CA 90095 http://www.jamesstroud.com -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
Re: What would you like to see in a book about Matplotlib?
On Jan 5, 10:57 am, Sandro Tosi wrote: > Hello and Happy 2009! > > I received the interesting proposal to author a book on Matplotlib, > the powerful 2D plotting library for Python. > > While preparing the arguments list, I'd like to hear even your > opinion, because different points-of-view will lead to a better > product. > > Some basic question I'd like to ask are: > > - what are you using matplotlib for? > - what are the things you like the most of matplotlib, that you want > to give emphasis to? And why? > - what are the (basic) things that, when you were beginning to use > matplotlib, you wanted to see grouped up but couldn't find? > - what would you like to see in a book about matplotlib? > - what are some those advanced feature that made you yell "WOW!!" ? > - what are the things you'd like to explore of matplotlib and never > had time to do? > > Your suggestions are really appreciated :) And wish me good luck! Hello Sandro, I am happy to hear that there might be a book on Matplotlib. I am using Matplotlib for a while now and find it a very usefull and powerfull library for generating graphs. I will try to answer some of your questions. I am by no means an expert in the field, so I only express my personal experience. >> What are you using matplotlib for? I currently use Matplotlib to generate a >> series of graphs that visualise data channels (strain measurements) during a >> structural test. These graphs need to be refreshed about every 4 seconds. >> Each of the graphs contains 1 to 6 curves. >> What are the things you like the most of matplotlib, that you want to give emphasis to? And why? In general I like the most the fact that I can generate high quality publication ready graphs with a consistent look with minimal effort. Further, although the matlab-style commands are very usefull I think the class interface is more powerfull. The class interface also has a steeper learning curve. So, for me it would be very interesting if much emphasis will be on the class interface. >> What are the (basic) things that, when you were beginning to use matplotlib, you wanted to see grouped up but couldn't find? I seriously hope the book is not for "dummies", but provides at least a significant amount of information on more advanced features of Matplotlib. I think the currently available tutorials are sufficient to getting started. From my point of view I am very interested in: - Dynamically updating a series of graphs - Configuring layout of graphs (colors, labels, legends, etc.) - Managing dimensions of the figure when you export the figure to e.g PNG. For me this is interesting in the sense that if I insert a figure in a report/paper, I would like that the fonts used in the graph remain proportional to the surrounding text. If you need more information please let me know. I wish you good luck! Kind regards, Marco -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
