Merge pull request #16475 from anntzer/timeline

timhoffm · web-flow · commit ae72e620ef95 · 2020-02-13T00:00:55.000+01:00
Use vlines() and plot(), not stem(), in timeline example.
diff --git a/examples/lines_bars_and_markers/timeline.py b/examples/lines_bars_and_markers/timeline.py
@@ -53,10 +53,10 @@
     dates = [datetime.strptime(d, "%Y-%m-%d") for d in dates]
 
 ##############################################################################
-# Next, we'll create a `~.Axes.stem` plot with some variation in levels as to
-# distinguish even close-by events. In contrast to a usual stem plot, we will
-# shift the markers to the baseline for visual emphasis on the one-dimensional
-# nature of the time line.
+# Next, we'll create a stem plot with some variation in levels as to
+# distinguish even close-by events. We add markers on the baseline for visual
+# emphasis on the one-dimensional nature of the time line.
+#
 # For each event, we add a text label via `~.Axes.annotate`, which is offset
 # in units of points from the tip of the event line.
 #
@@ -71,13 +71,9 @@
 fig, ax = plt.subplots(figsize=(8.8, 4), constrained_layout=True)
 ax.set(title="Matplotlib release dates")
 
-markerline, stemline, baseline = ax.stem(dates, levels,
-                                         linefmt="C3-", basefmt="k-")
-
-plt.setp(markerline, mec="k", mfc="w", zorder=3)
-
-# Shift the markers to the baseline by replacing the y-data by zeros.
-markerline.set_ydata(np.zeros(len(dates)))
+ax.vlines(dates, 0, levels, color="tab:red")  # The vertical stems.
+ax.plot(dates, np.zeros_like(dates), "-o",
+        color="k", markerfacecolor="w")  # Baseline and markers on it.
 
 # annotate lines
 for d, l, r in zip(dates, levels, names):
@@ -111,8 +107,8 @@
 # in this example:
 
 import matplotlib
-matplotlib.axes.Axes.stem
 matplotlib.axes.Axes.annotate
+matplotlib.axes.Axes.vlines
 matplotlib.axis.Axis.set_major_locator
 matplotlib.axis.Axis.set_major_formatter
 matplotlib.dates.MonthLocator
