How to detach matplotlib plots from code execution for concurrent computation?

Detachable Matplotlib Plots for Concurrent Computation

In the realm of data visualization, the generation of interactive plots is often a crucial aspect. Matplotlib, a popular Python library, offers the ability to create static and interactive plots. However, users may encounter limitations when attempting to detach matplotlib plots from their code execution to allow for ongoing computations.

Challenge: Detaching Plots from Code Execution

Consider the following Python code snippet:

from matplotlib.pyplot import *
plot([1,2,3])
show()
# other code

After executing this code, a plot window appears. However, the problem lies in the necessity to exit the plot window before the program can proceed with further computations. Interactive exploration of intermediate results while the program continues its calculations becomes impossible.

Solution: Use Non-Blocking Matplotlib Calls

To overcome this challenge, matplotlib provides several calls that can be used without blocking code execution. One such call is draw(). By incorporating the following modifications:

from matplotlib.pyplot import plot, draw, show
plot([1,2,3])
draw()
print('continue computation')

# at the end call show to ensure window won't close.
show()

Execution of this code allows the plot window to display immediately while the program proceeds with other computation tasks. The draw() function effectively updates the plot without blocking the code execution.

Another method is to use interactive mode in matplotlib:

from matplotlib.pyplot import plot, ion, show
ion() # enables interactive mode
plot([1,2,3]) # result shows immediatelly (implicit draw())

print('continue computation')

# at the end call show to ensure window won't close.
show()

Enabling interactive mode inmatplotlib, indicated by the ion() call, allows the plot to update and display in real-time as computations progress, without the need for explicit calls to draw(). The show() call at the end ensures the plot window remains open.

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