python - How to draw a line with matplotlib?

Question

I cannot find a way to draw an arbitrary line with matplotlib Python library. It allows to draw horizontal and vertical lines (with matplotlib.pyplot.axhline and matplotlib.pyplot.axvline, for example), but i do not see how to draw a line through two given points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2). Is there a way? Is there a simple way?

Answer 1

This will draw a line that passes through the points (-1, 1) and (12, 4), and another one that passes through the points (1, 3) et (10, 2)

x1 are the x coordinates of the points for the first line, y1 are the y coordinates for the same -- the elements in x1 and y1 must be in sequence.

x2 and y2 are the same for the other line.

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
x1, y1 = [-1, 12], [1, 4]
x2, y2 = [1, 10], [3, 2]
plt.plot(x1, y1, x2, y2, marker = 'o')
plt.show()

I suggest you spend some time reading / studying the basic tutorials found on the very rich matplotlib website to familiarize yourself with the library.

What if I don't want line segments?

There are no direct ways to have lines extend to infinity... matplotlib will either resize/rescale the plot so that the furthest point will be on the boundary and the other inside, drawing line segments in effect; or you must choose points outside of the boundary of the surface you want to set visible, and set limits for the x and y axis.

As follows:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
x1, y1 = [-1, 12], [1, 10]
x2, y2 = [-1, 10], [3, -1]
plt.xlim(0, 8), plt.ylim(-2, 8)
plt.plot(x1, y1, x2, y2, marker = 'o')
plt.show()