graph (Unix)

In the Unix operating system, graph is a command-line utility used for plotting data as a simple, two-dimensional graph. It reads data points from standard input (or specified files) and generates output suitable for rendering on various terminals and plotting devices.

The primary function of graph is to visualize numerical data. It interprets input data as pairs of x and y coordinates, which it then uses to draw lines and points on a graph. The user can customize the appearance of the graph through various command-line options, influencing aspects like the axes labels, title, line styles, and scaling.

graph is typically used for quick data visualization and analysis, particularly in scripting environments where generating a simple graph is needed without resorting to more complex plotting libraries or graphical interfaces. The output generated by graph is often directed to other utilities or terminals capable of interpreting plotting instructions, such as Tektronix 4014 compatible terminals or conversion tools like pic. It allows basic representation of data trends and relationships within a Unix pipeline workflow.