PLplot

PLplot is a free, open-source, cross-platform software library for creating scientific plots. It is primarily designed for creating publication-quality graphics from scientific data. PLplot provides a procedural interface for creating a wide variety of plot types, including line plots, scatter plots, bar charts, pie charts, contour plots, and surface plots.

PLplot supports multiple output formats, including vector graphics formats such as PostScript, SVG, and PDF, as well as raster graphics formats like PNG and JPEG. This allows for the creation of plots that can be easily embedded in documents, presentations, and websites.

The library is written in C, with language bindings available for several other programming languages, including Fortran, Python, Java, C++, Octave, and Tcl. This makes PLplot accessible to a wide range of users with different programming backgrounds.

PLplot is actively developed and maintained by a community of volunteers. It is licensed under the LGPL, allowing it to be used in both open-source and commercial applications. The library aims for portability and has been successfully compiled on various operating systems, including Linux, macOS, and Windows.

The library offers considerable control over plot appearance, allowing users to customize aspects such as line styles, colors, fonts, and axes labels. This fine-grained control is crucial for producing plots that meet specific publication requirements or visual standards. PLplot is often used in scientific research, engineering, and data analysis.