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Python matplotlib: Backend and Frontend

The code to produce the plots is the frontend.

The backend produces the plots.

There are two types of backends:

User interface (aka interactive) backends like PyQt, PyGObjects PySide, Tkinter, wxPython etc
Hardcopy (aka non-interactive) backends to make image files (.png, .svg, .pdf, .ps)

The backend can be configured with

Built-in static backends

Renderer	Filetypes	Description
AGG	PNG	Raster graphics. AGG = Anti-Grain Geometry engine
PDF	pdf	Vector graphics
PS	ps, eps	Vector graphics
SVG	svg	Vector graphics
PGF	pgf, pdf	vector graphics using the `pqf` package
Cairo	png, ps, pdf, svg	Raster and vector graphics using the Cairo library (`pycairo` or `cairocffi`)

See also