cla(), clf(), or close(): When to Use Which Matplotlib Function for Plot Clearing?

When to Implement cla(), clf(), or close() for Plot Clearing

matplotlib offers cla(), clf(), and close() functions to clear visualizations, but their scope and actions differ.

Matplotlib Hierarchy

Matplotlib organizes plots into a hierarchy: figure window > figure > axes.

cla() and clf() Functions

In the pyplot interface, cla() clears the current axes within the current figure, leaving other axes unaffected. clf() clears the entire current figure, including all axes, but retains the window for future plots.

close() Function

The close() function, in contrast to pyplot functions, is a method of the Figure class. It closes the specified figure window, whether it's the current window or not. close('all') closes all figure windows.

Summary of Functionality

Function

Action

Scope

Function	Action	Scope
cla() (pyplot)	Clear current axes	Current axes
clf() (pyplot)	Clear current figure	Current figure
close() (pyplot)	Close figure window	Specified or current window
clf() (Figure method)	Clear figure	Figure instance
clear() (Figure method)	Synonym for clf()	Figure instance

cla()

(pyplot)

Clear current axes

Current axes

clf() (pyplot)

Clear current figure

Current figure

close()

(pyplot)

Close figure window

Specified or current window

clf()

(Figure method)

Clear figure

Figure instance

clear() (Figure method)

Synonym for clf()

Figure instance

Usage Considerations

The choice of function depends on the desired action. If you want to:

Clear only the current axes:

Use cla().Clear the entire figure but keep the window open: Use clf().Close the figure window: Use close().

The above is the detailed content of cla(), clf(), or close(): When to Use Which Matplotlib Function for Plot Clearing?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!