Ideas on creating graph

Hi, I have a dataset recorded in real time. The datasets range from 2 to 7 minutes and have large data in it. I wanted to plot them and see them. I used the normal plot function but the graph is very intact and that's not something I wanted to see. Is there any way I can plot those data like I recorded? i.e making a continuous graph and pausing it where ever I want to pause and see the behaviour?

Answer 1

[Aashray]

Hello Sam,

Yes, you can create a dynamic, continuous plot that simulates real-time data recording, in which you can control the plotting of graph by pausing and resuming the plotting. The “pause()” function in MATLAB can be used to simulate a real-time plot, where the graph updates incrementally.

You may refer to the following script for better understanding:

sampleData = rand(1000,1); 
time = 1:length(sampleData);

figure;
h = plot(time(1), sampleData(1), 'LineWidth', 2);
xlabel('Time');
ylabel('Data Value');
grid on;

% Update the plot incrementally
for i = 1:length(sampleData)
    % Update the data
    set(h, 'YData', sampleData(1:i), 'XData', time(1:i));  
    
    % Pause to simulate real-time behavior
    pause(0.1);  % You may adjust the time as per requirement
    
    % For pausing manually
    % (Eg. when you press a key or reach a specific time step)
    if mod(i, 100) == 0  % Eg:Pause every 100 points
        disp('Press any key to continue...');
        pause;  % This will pause the plotting, and will not resume plotting until you press some key in Command Window
    end
end

Also, I am attaching documentation links for the functions used:

1. “set()” : https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/ref/set.html
2. “pause()” : https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/ref/pause.html