Rcparams for global defaults in Matplotlib - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is rcParams in matplotlib?

rcParams is a dictionary-like object in matplotlib that stores default settings for plots, such as colors, fonts, and line styles. Changing rcParams changes the look of all plots globally.

beginner

How do you change the default figure size globally using rcParams?

You set matplotlib.rcParams['figure.figsize'] = (width, height) where width and height are in inches. This changes the size for all future plots.

intermediate

What file can you edit to permanently change matplotlib's global defaults?

You can edit the matplotlibrc file. This file contains default settings that matplotlib reads every time it starts, so changes here apply globally and persistently.

intermediate

How do you reset rcParams to matplotlib's default settings in your code?

Use matplotlib.rcdefaults() to reset all rcParams to their original default values during runtime.

beginner

Give an example of changing the default font size globally using rcParams.

Set matplotlib.rcParams['font.size'] = 14 to make all plot text use font size 14 by default.

What does matplotlib.rcParams control?

A Only figure size of plots

B Global default plot settings

C Only colors of plots

D Only font styles

rcParams controls many global default settings including colors, sizes, fonts, and more.

How do you change the default line width globally in matplotlib?

A matplotlib.rcParams['line.width'] = 2

B matplotlib.rcParams['lines.width'] = 2

C matplotlib.rcParams['linewidth'] = 2

D matplotlib.rcParams['lines.linewidth'] = 2

The correct key is lines.linewidth to set default line width.

Which function resets rcParams to default values during a session?

A matplotlib.rcdefaults()

B matplotlib.clear()

C matplotlib.reset_rcParams()

D matplotlib.reset()

matplotlib.rcdefaults() resets all rcParams to default values.

Where do you put permanent changes to matplotlib defaults?

A In the matplotlibrc file

B In your Python script

C In the plot title

D In the plot legend

The matplotlibrc file stores permanent global default settings.

What type of object is rcParams?

A Tuple

B List

C Dictionary-like

D Set

rcParams behaves like a dictionary with keys and values.

Explain how to change the global default figure size in matplotlib using rcParams.

Think about setting a key in rcParams to a size tuple.

Describe the purpose of the matplotlibrc file and how it relates to rcParams.

Consider how to make changes that last beyond a single script.