Matplotlib is a popular and powerful library for plotting out information using Python. Since Python often works with datasets, and visually representing data can help demonstrate points within data, it makes sense that there is a useful Python library for just that. In this hands-on lab, we’ll utilize `matplotlib` to create graphs to display various pieces of information about Target stores opened in the United States.
_Warning_: This is a lab designed as part of a professional-level course and is difficult. The lab asks you to accomplish something using methods and functionality of the `matplotlib` library that might not have been covered in lessons.
To feel comfortable completing this lab, you’ll want to know how to do the following:
– Use Matplotlib. Watch the lessons in the “Using Matplotlib” section from this course.
– Be comfortable reading the [matplotlib documentation](https://matplotlib.org/) to find new functions and methods to use to accomplish your goal.
Learning Objectives
Successfully complete this lab by achieving the following learning objectives:
- Install matplotlib
Please Note: Accessing VS Code Server in the browser will require a password. The password is system generated and will either be
24bdf4febea54a8579305316or can be located on the host itself by logging in via SSH and viewing theconfig.yamlfile.cat ~/.config/code-server/config.yamlWithin VS Code Server, you will have the opportunity to use the Jupyter Notebook service to render graphs. It will ask you for a password on first use. There is no password; simply place your cursor in the prompt box and press Enter/Return.
Before we can use
matplotlibto generate graphs, we’ll need to make sure that it is installed.- Create a Bar Graph Showing Number of Stores by State
From within the
target_graphs.pyfile, create a bar chart to display the number of Target stores in each state. It will be useful to useitertools.groupbyto collect the information based on the state. It will likely be necessary to change the font size of the axis ticks so that the state abbreviations don’t overlap; this can be done withset_yticklabelandset_xticklabel(depending on how the graph is oriented.)- Create a Line Graph Showing New Stores Opened Each Year
From within the
target_graphs.pyfile, create a line graph that plots the number of Target stores that were opened each year. A line graph works well for charting this because we can visualize the information without adding a new tick label to the axis for years.- Create a Line Graph Showing the Total Number of Target Stores Over Time
From within the
target_graphs.pyfile, create a line graph that plots the total number of Target stores that are open over time. We’ll need to calculate the total for each year by using the total from the previous year and adding the number of new stores opened in a given year.
