plplot
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Description:
Cross-platform software package for creating scientific plots
Type: Formula  |  Tracked Since: Dec 28, 2025
Links: Homepage  |  formulae.brew.sh
Category: Developer tools
Tags: scientific visualization plotting graphics data-analysis
Install: brew install plplot
About:
PLplot is a cross-platform software package for creating scientific plots. It provides a consistent, device-independent API for plotting data, supporting numerous output formats including PNG, PDF, SVG, and X11. Its main value proposition is enabling scientists and engineers to generate high-quality visualizations using various programming languages like C, Python, and Fortran.
Key Features:
  • Device-independent plotting API
  • Support for multiple programming languages (C, Python, Fortran, etc.)
  • Wide range of output formats (vector and raster)
  • Extensive library of scientific plot types
Use Cases:
  • Generating publication-quality scientific graphs from simulation data
  • Real-time data visualization in experimental physics
  • Creating interactive plots in scientific applications
Alternatives:
  • Gnuplot – Gnuplot is primarily command-line driven, whereas PLplot is designed as a library for integration into applications.
  • Matplotlib – Matplotlib is Python-specific, while PLplot offers broader language support and is lighter weight for C/Fortran integration.
Version History
Detected Version Rev Change Commit
Sep 16, 2025 12:04pm 4 VERSION_BUMP a024b2b5
Oct 30, 2024 9:32pm 4 VERSION_BUMP 298eec08
Oct 26, 2024 9:51pm 4 VERSION_BUMP 9d2b6f72
Sep 13, 2024 6:38am 4 VERSION_BUMP 64c286c0