Matplotlib

Quoting from the Matplotlib website,

matplotlib is a python 2D plotting library which produces publication quality figures in a variety of hardcopy formats and interactive environments across platforms. matplotlib can be used in python scripts, the python and ipython shell (ala MATLAB^®* or Mathematica^®†), web application servers, and six graphical user interface toolkits.

It allows generation of publication ready plots and charts from a python script. Just started using this in one of my current projects and finding it satisfactory so far. The matplotlib figures can also be exported to a number of bitmap formats and vector formats like PDF. A definite advantage compared to MATLAB.

I'm using Ubuntu these days, to install Matplotlib in your Ubuntu box:

1. Ubuntu software centre,
or
2. Install it using apt

$ sudo apt-get install python-matplotlib

Python in Ubuntu

My favorite development environment for Python in Ubuntu is Eclipse. The following steps describe how to get an up and running development environment on your Ubuntu box.

1. Python

Python usually comes with the bundle but just in case:

$ sudo apt-get install python

2. Eclipse

Eclipse is available from the Ubuntu Software Center, I usually install it from there that. Another option is to install it manually, which I never tried myself.

$ sudo apt-get install eclipse sun-java6-jdk $ sudo udate-java-alternatives -s java-6-sun

3. Pydev

1. Run Eclipse
2. Help -> Install New Software
3. Type in "Work with": http://pydev.org/updates, name should be Python
4. Select Pydev from the list of available options, then click Next
5. Select the Python module that needs to be installed, click Next
6. Let the downloading finish, then restart Eclipse

Ubuntu Installer for Windows

Ubuntu 12.04 (the latest version at the time of writing this) has an installer for windows which can be downloaded from here. It allows you to download the installer as a windows executable (.exe) and perform the installation like installing many other windows applications. Thanks, Ubuntu.