`plot` is the primary command for drawing plots with `gnuplot`. It creates plots of functions and data in many, many ways. `plot` is used to draw 2-d functions and data; `splot` draws 2D projections of 3D surfaces and data. `plot` and `splot` contain many common features; see `splot` for differences. Note specifically that although the `binary <binary list>` variation does work for both `plot` and `splot`, there are small differences between these modes.
Syntax:
plot {<ranges>}
{<iteration>}
{<function> | {"<datafile>" {datafile-modifiers}}}
{axes <axes>} {<title-spec>} {with <style>}
{, {definitions{,}} <function> ...}
where either a <function> or the name of a data file enclosed in quotes is supplied. A function is a mathematical expression or a pair of mathematical expressions in parametric mode. The expressions may be defined completely or in part earlier in the stream of `gnuplot` commands (see `user-defined`).
It is also possible to define functions and parameters on the `plot` command itself. This is done merely by isolating them from other items with commas.
Examples:
plot sin(x)
plot sin(x), cos(x)
plot f(x) = sin(x*a), a = .2, f(x), a = .4, f(x)
plot "datafile.1" with lines, "datafile.2" with points
plot [t=1:10] [-pi:pi*2] tan(t), \
"data.1" using (tan($2)):($3/$4) smooth csplines \
axes x1y2 notitle with lines 5
plot for [datafile in "spinach.dat broccoli.dat"] datafile
See also `show plot`.