Introduction to Matplotlib.pyplot.gca() in Python

matplotlib.pyplot.gca() is a function that returns the current axes instance on the current figure. The functions in pyplot are used to create a plotting area in a figure, plot some lines in that plotting area, decorates the plot with labels, etc., and gca() function is used to get the current axis instance of the current plot.

Syntax

The syntax to use gca() function is as follows:

ax = plt.gca()

Parameters

gca() function does not take any parameters.

Return Value

gca() function returns an Axes object, which is an instance of the current axes of the current figure.

Example

Let's consider an example where we will use gca() function to set the labels, title, and legend of a plot.

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np

x = np.linspace(0, 10, 100)
y = np.sin(x)

fig, ax = plt.subplots()
ax.plot(x, y, label='sin(x)')
ax.set(xlabel='x', ylabel='y', title='Sin wave plot')
ax.legend()

plt.show()

Here, we first defined x and y values, then created a figure and axis instance using subplots() function. We then plotted y against x on the current axis using plot() function, set the labels and title of the plot using set() function, and added a legend using legend() function. Finally, we displayed the plot using show() function.

Conclusion

matplotlib.pyplot.gca() function is an important function that can be used to get the current axis instance of the current figure. It is useful when you want to set the labels, title, and legend of a plot, as we demonstrated with an example above.