Bug report

Bug summary

The interactive example in the Matplotlib FAQ does not work as described.

Code for reproduction

I followed these very simple instructions from the FAQ:

# in shell execute one by one:
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

plt.ion()
plt.plot([1.6, 2.7])

# plot is shown

plt.title("interactive test")
plt.xlabel("index")

# plot is updated with titel and label

ax = plt.gca()
ax.plot([3.1, 2.2])

# (!) second line is added to the axes
# no need to call:
# plt.draw()

When I execute:

# Paste your code here
ax = plt.gca()
ax.plot([3.1, 2.2])

my plot immediately updates with the new line. The FAQ claims this should not happen until I call draw().

The same thing happens when I use the 'TKAgg' backend and not my default 'MacOSX'. I also tried this with both Python and iPython.

Actual outcome

Plot is updated with new line.

Expected outcome

Plot should not be updated until draw() is called.

Matplotlib version

• Operating System: Mac OSX 10.11.6
• Matplotlib Version: 2.0.2
• Python Version: 3.6.1
• Anaconda Version: 4.4.0
• Jupyter Version (if applicable): 4.3.0

Installed matplotlib by installing Anaconda 4.4.0 (default channel).