Matplotlib backend selection - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a Matplotlib backend?

A Matplotlib backend is the part of Matplotlib that handles how and where plots are displayed or saved. It can show plots on the screen or save them to files.

beginner

Name two types of Matplotlib backends.

There are two main types: interactive backends that show plots in windows you can interact with, and non-interactive backends that only save plots to files without showing them.

beginner

How can you check which backend Matplotlib is currently using?

You can check the current backend by running <code>import matplotlib; print(matplotlib.get_backend())</code> in your Python code.

intermediate

How do you set a Matplotlib backend before importing pyplot?

Use matplotlib.use('backend_name') before importing matplotlib.pyplot. For example, matplotlib.use('Agg') sets a non-interactive backend for saving files.

beginner

Why might you choose the 'Agg' backend in Matplotlib?

The 'Agg' backend is good for creating image files like PNGs without opening any windows. It's useful when running code on servers or scripts without a display.

Which Matplotlib backend type allows you to interact with plots on your screen?

A Non-interactive backend

B Interactive backend

C File backend

D Static backend

Interactive backends open windows where you can zoom, pan, and update plots.

What does the 'Agg' backend in Matplotlib do?

A Displays plots in a window

B Runs plots in a web browser

C Saves plots to image files without showing them

D Creates 3D plots

The 'Agg' backend is non-interactive and saves plots as image files like PNG.

How do you find out which backend Matplotlib is currently using?

A matplotlib.get_backend()

B matplotlib.show_backend()

C matplotlib.backend()

D matplotlib.check_backend()

The function matplotlib.get_backend() returns the current backend name.

When should you set the backend using matplotlib.use()?

A It does not matter when

B After importing matplotlib.pyplot

C After plotting

D Before importing matplotlib.pyplot

You must set the backend before importing pyplot to avoid errors.

Which backend is best for running Matplotlib on a server without a display?

A Agg

B Qt5Agg

C TkAgg

D MacOSX

The 'Agg' backend works without a display, perfect for servers.

Explain what a Matplotlib backend is and why it matters when creating plots.

Think about how plots appear or get saved.

Describe how to change the Matplotlib backend in your code and when you should do it.

Order of imports is important.