plot.py (python) ↓ (GitHub)

This script reads in data from CSV files and outputs plotted graphs, and can be run on single, multiple or all CSV files within a directory. The script can be modified to produce many different plots, and is able to perform linear and non linear regression.

The script accepts filenames as arguments, eg:

• python plot.py file1.csv

• python plot.py file1.csv file2.csv

• python plot.py *.csv

The script includes a number of configurable options which can be set in the script including:

• Defining columns to be used for the x and y values

• Axes labels

• Limits for the axes

• Data manipulation (see guide)

• Inclusion of a line of best fit

• Linear regression output (gradient and intercept values), including collation of the parameters into a separate file

• Iterative non linear regression

The script is capable of carrying out calculations on the data prior to plotting. This might be a simple unit conversion, eg time in minutes to time in seconds, where x = x*60, or might involve more complex functions.The document below contains some example calculations. The calculations are using numpy. If you wish to perform an arithmetic function not listed in the support document, try searching 'numpy' and the function you wish to use.

Example functions (PDF) ↓

Below are example scripts for various different plot types which may be useful. Before drawing a plot, it is important to consider what type of plot is best for the data and what you are trying to communicate.