Plotting
can plot using two methods. The first is to use the plplot
library. The other is to use the freely available gnuplot
plotting program. The way your was built determines whether
you can use neither, just one, or both methods.
gnuplot can produce output on many different
display types and file formats, though the quality of the plotting
varies according to the capabilities of the output device. plplot does
not have the same range of output options, however it is supported
under somewhat better.
implements a simple wrapper over some of the more commonly used
gnuplot commands, though all the capabilities of gnuplot are still
available. gnuplot has a built-in help facility, and it is also
possible to produce a printed manual (with the same information),
though this is not a default target when the package is compiled.
Although we will cover the more commonly used features, gnuplot is a
very powerful package, and access to either the on-line help or,
preferably, the printed manual will make using the advanced features
easier.
Subsections