Stem plot in matplotlib?

Question

I want to plot(x, sin(x)) but instead of a line from (xi,yi) to (x_i+1,y_i+1) I want a vertical line to each point from (xi,0)

Answer 1

I think you want to use linestyle='steps--'

plot(x, sin(x), linestyle='steps--')

Answer 2

There is a stem plot (a.k.a. lollipop plot) in the matplotlib as well.

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Below you can find an example from the docs.

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np

# returns 10 evenly spaced samples from 0.1 to 2*PI
x = np.linspace(0.1, 2 * np.pi, 10)

markerline, stemlines, baseline = plt.stem(x, np.cos(x), '-.')

# setting property of baseline with color red and linewidth 2
plt.setp(baseline, color='r', linewidth=2)

plt.show()

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If you want to adjust the y-position of the baseline, you can use the bottom parameter.

(adapted) Example:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np

# returns 10 evenly spaced samples from 0.1 to 2*PI
x = np.linspace(0.1, 2 * np.pi, 10)

plt.stem(x, np.cos(x), '-.', bottom=-2)

plt.show()