8.12.5: Plotting several y-columns versus on x-column

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in a file called `test.dat'. Let's say the x-column is time, and the y-columns are the readings from three temperature sensors. The following illustrates how you might plot these data. If you think the new-command which starts this script is useful, just insert it in your `~/.grirc' file and you can just use it without re-defining it each time. This will give Gri a command called `draw curves'.

`draw curves \xname \y1name ...' Draw multiple y columns versus an x column. Assumes that the datafile is open, and that x is in the first column, with the y values in one or more following columns. The number of columns is figured out from the options, as is the name of the x-axis, and the labels to be used on each of the y curves. { # NB. the 3 below lets us skip the words 'draw' # and 'curves', and the name of the x-column. .num_of_y_columns. = {rpn wordc 3 -} if {rpn .num_of_y_columns. 1 >} show "ERROR: `draw curves' needs at least 1 y column!" quit end if set x name {rpn 2 wordv} set y name "" # Loop through the columns. .col. = 0 while {rpn .num_of_y_columns. .col. <} # The x-values will be in column 1, with y-values # in columns 2, 3, ..., of the file. .ycol. = {rpn .col. 2 +} rewind read columns x=1 y=.ycol. # At this point, you may want to change line thickness, # thickness, color, dash-type, etc. For illustration, # let's set dash type to the column number. set dash .col. draw curve draw label for last curve {rpn .col. 3 + wordv} .col. += 1 end while } open test.dat draw curves time y1 y2 y3