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Matplotlib vs R: What are the differences?
Developers describe Matplotlib as "A plotting library for the Python programming language". It is a Python 2D plotting library which produces publication quality figures in a variety of hardcopy formats and interactive environments across platforms. It can be used in Python scripts, the Python and IPython shells, the Jupyter notebook, web application servers, and four graphical user interface toolkits. On the other hand, R is detailed as "A language and environment for statistical computing and graphics". R provides a wide variety of statistical (linear and nonlinear modelling, classical statistical tests, time-series analysis, classification, clustering, ...) and graphical techniques, and is highly extensible.
Matplotlib and R are primarily classified as "Charting Libraries" and "Languages" tools respectively.
Instacart, Zalando, and Thumbtack are some of the popular companies that use R, whereas Matplotlib is used by Opportunity Network, King's Digital Lab, and Quezx.com. R has a broader approval, being mentioned in 188 company stacks & 630 developers stacks; compared to Matplotlib, which is listed in 10 company stacks and 19 developer stacks.
Pros of Matplotlib
- The standard Swiss Army Knife of plotting9
Pros of R Language
- Data analysis81
- Graphics and data visualization60
- Free52
- Great community43
- Flexible statistical analysis toolkit37
- Access to powerful, cutting-edge analytics26
- Easy packages setup25
- Interactive18
- R Studio IDE12
- Hacky9
- Shiny apps7
- Shiny interactive plots6
- Preferred Medium5
- Automated data reports5
- Cutting-edge machine learning straight from researchers4
- Machine Learning2
- Graphical visualization1
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Cons of Matplotlib
- Lots of code5
Cons of R Language
- Very messy syntax5
- Tables must fit in RAM4
- Arrays indices start with 12
- No push command for vectors/lists2
- Messy syntax for string concatenation2
- Messy character encoding1
- Poor syntax for classes0
- Messy syntax for array/vector combination0