How to change backends in Matplotlib and Python?

Matplotlib is a popular data visualization library in Python that provides multiple backends to render plots, including interactive backends for displaying plots in different environments. To change the backend in Matplotlib, you need to modify the Matplotlib configuration file or set the backend programmatically. Here’s how you can change the backend in Matplotlib:

Import Matplotlib: Start by importing the Matplotlib library in your Python script:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

Changing the backend programmatically: You can change the backend programmatically by using the matplotlib.use() function. Here’s an example that changes the backend to the TkAgg backend:

import matplotlib
matplotlib.use('TkAgg')

Replace 'TkAgg' with the backend of your choice. Some commonly used backends include 'TkAgg' (Tkinter), 'Qt5Agg' (Qt5), 'WXAgg' (wxPython), and 'agg' (headless rendering).

Note: It’s recommended to set the backend at the beginning of your script, before importing pyplot or any other submodules of Matplotlib.

Changing the backend via the configuration file: Alternatively, you can change the backend by modifying the Matplotlib configuration file (matplotlibrc). The configuration file specifies the default backend used by Matplotlib. You can find the location of the configuration file by running the following command:

import matplotlib
print(matplotlib.matplotlib_fname())

Open the configuration file in a text editor and find the line that starts with backend:. Change the value after the colon to the backend of your choice. Save the file and restart your Python script.

Verifying the backend: To ensure that the backend has been changed successfully, you can use the following code snippet to display the currently active backend:

import matplotlib
print(matplotlib.get_backend())

Running this code will print the name of the active backend.

It’s important to note that changing the backend may have implications depending on the specific environment and features you require. Some backends provide interactive plots, while others focus on rendering static images. Choose the backend that suits your needs and environment appropriately.

Remember to consult the Matplotlib documentation for further information on supported backends and their usage: https://matplotlib.org/stable/tutorials/introductory/usage.html#backends