How to save a graph through command line with Gnuplot?

Question

gnuplot -p -e "plot [-4:4] exp(-x**2 / 2); set terminal png size 400,300; set output 'xyz.png'"

That's what I have tried. It does create the png, but corrupted.

Where am I going wrong?

score 29 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 14 '15 at 11:14

29

You must set the terminal and the output file name before plotting:

gnuplot -e "set terminal png size 400,300; set output 'xyz.png'; plot [-4:4] exp(-x**2 / 2)"

In that case you also don't need the persist flag.

answered Apr 14 '15 at 11:14

Christoph

Ah. semicolons instead of \n - I see how this works. – SDsolar Jul 14 '17 at 05:32
Is it possible to have all of the commands in a script and just pass the output filename from the command line? I haven't used gnuplot for years and can't remember. Thanks! – tommy.carstensen Dec 03 '18 at 00:49

score 3 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 14 '15 at 11:13

3

The order of your commands. First set the terminal. Then set the output. Finally plot.

answered Apr 14 '15 at 11:13

jmmo

2 Answers2