How To Install Plotly on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

Data visualization is crucial in today’s data-driven world. Plotly is a powerful Python library that enables you to create interactive and dynamic plots for data analysis and presentation. Using Plotly with Ubuntu 24.04 offers a robust and versatile environment for data scientists, analysts, and developers. This guide will walk you through the complete process of installing Plotly on Ubuntu 24.04, ensuring you have a smooth and efficient setup. Let’s start by understanding why Ubuntu 24.04 is a great choice for Plotly.

Why Ubuntu 24.04 for Plotly?

Ubuntu 24.04, the latest LTS (Long Term Support) version, provides a stable and reliable platform for software development and data analysis. It comes with updated packages, improved security features, and excellent hardware compatibility. Ubuntu is known for its extensive community support, making it easier to find solutions to any issues you might encounter during the installation or usage of Plotly. Furthermore, many Python packages are readily available on Ubuntu 24.04.

Prerequisites

Before diving into the installation process, make sure you have the following prerequisites in place:

• System Requirements: A running instance of Ubuntu 24.04 with internet access.
• User Permissions: A user account with sudo privileges to install software.
• Basic Terminal Knowledge: Familiarity with using the Linux terminal to execute commands.
• Internet Connectivity: A stable internet connection to download packages and dependencies.

System Preparation

Preparing your Ubuntu 24.04 system is crucial for a smooth installation. Here’s how to update your system and set up Python.

Updating System Packages

Start by updating the package list and upgrading the installed packages. Open your terminal and run the following commands:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

These commands ensure that your system has the latest package information and updates, which can prevent compatibility issues during the installation process.

Installing Python 3

Ubuntu 24.04 comes with Python 3 pre-installed, but it’s good to ensure it is properly set up. If not, install it using the following command:

sudo apt install python3

This command installs Python 3 along with essential utilities. You need Python to run Plotly.

Verifying Python Installation

To verify that Python 3 is installed correctly, check its version:

python3 --version

This command displays the installed Python 3 version. Make sure it is a stable release.

Setting up pip Package Manager

pip is the package installer for Python. It allows you to easily install and manage Python packages, including Plotly. Install pip using the following command:

sudo apt install python3-pip

This command installs pip for Python 3. Once installed, verify the installation by checking its version:

pip3 --version

This command displays the version of pip, confirming it is correctly installed.

Installing Plotly

With the system prepared, you can now install Plotly. Here are the methods to install Plotly on Ubuntu 24.04.

Standard Installation Method using pip

The most common way to install Plotly is by using pip. Open your terminal and run:

pip3 install plotly

This command downloads and installs Plotly and its dependencies. It’s a straightforward way to get Plotly up and running.

Alternative Installation using conda

If you are using Anaconda or Miniconda, you can install Plotly using conda:

conda install -c plotly plotly

This command installs Plotly from the plotly channel, ensuring you get a compatible version.

Installing Plotly Express dependencies

plotly-express is a high-level interface for Plotly, providing an easier way to create common plot types. To install it, run:

pip3 install plotly-express

This command installs plotly-express and its dependencies, enhancing your ability to create complex plots with less code.

Verifying Plotly Installation

To verify that Plotly is installed correctly, open a Python 3 interpreter and try importing the plotly module:

python3

Then, in the Python interpreter, run:

import plotly
print(plotly.__version__)

If Plotly is installed correctly, it will print the version number without any errors.

Additional Dependencies

To fully utilize Plotly, you may need to install additional dependencies and tools.

Installing Jupyter Support Packages

Jupyter Notebook is a popular environment for data analysis and visualization. To use Plotly with Jupyter, install the necessary support packages:

pip3 install jupyter ipywidgets

These packages enable Plotly plots to be displayed interactively within Jupyter Notebooks.

Setting up Kaleido for Static Image Export

Kaleido is a tool for exporting Plotly plots to static images (e.g., PNG, JPEG, SVG). Install it using pip:

pip3 install kaleido

After installing Kaleido, you might need to configure it to work correctly. Ensure that Kaleido’s binary is in your system’s PATH.

Installing Optional Geographic Data Packages

If you plan to create geographic plots, you might need additional data packages. Install geopandas to handle geographic data:

pip3 install geopanda

This package provides the necessary tools to work with geospatial data in Plotly.

Managing Virtual Environments

It’s best to use virtual environments to manage dependencies for your Python projects. Create a virtual environment using venv:

python3 -m venv myenv
source myenv/bin/activate

This creates a new virtual environment named myenv and activates it. Now, any packages you install will be isolated to this environment.

Configuration and Setup

Proper configuration is key to ensuring Plotly works seamlessly with your development environment.

Configuring Jupyter Integration

To enable Plotly plots in Jupyter Notebook, ensure that the ipywidgets extension is enabled:

jupyter nbextension enable --py widgetsnbextensio

This command enables the necessary JavaScript extensions for interactive Plotly plots in Jupyter.

Setting up Development Environments

Depending on your preferred IDE (Integrated Development Environment), you might need to configure it to recognize Plotly. For example, in VSCode, ensure that the Python interpreter is set to the correct virtual environment.

Installing Complementary Packages

Consider installing packages that complement Plotly, such as pandas for data manipulation and numpy for numerical computations:

pip3 install pandas numpy

These packages are commonly used in conjunction with Plotly for data analysis and visualization tasks.

Troubleshooting Common Installation Issues

Sometimes, you might encounter issues during installation. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

• Permission Errors: If you encounter permission errors, try running the installation command with sudo, but it’s better to use virtual environments to avoid such issues.
• Package Conflicts: If you have conflicting package versions, try upgrading the conflicting packages or creating a new virtual environment.
• Missing Dependencies: If Plotly reports missing dependencies, install them using pip.

Testing the Installation

After installation, testing Plotly ensures that everything works as expected.

Creating a Basic Test Plot

Create a simple Python script to generate a basic Plotly plot:

import plotly.graph_objects as go
 
fig = go.Figure(data=[go.Scatter(x=[1, 2, 3, 4], y=[10, 11, 12, 13])])
fig.show()

Save this script as test_plotly.py and run it:

python3 test_plotly.py

This should display a simple line plot in your browser.

Running in Different Environments

Test Plotly in different environments like Jupyter Notebook, VSCode, and the terminal to ensure it functions correctly across the board.

Verifying All Features Work Correctly

Check that interactive features like zooming, panning, and hovering work as expected. Also, test exporting plots to different formats (PNG, SVG, etc.).

Common Test Scenarios

• Interactive Plots in Jupyter: Verify that plots are interactive in Jupyter Notebook.
• Static Image Export: Ensure you can export plots to static image formats using Kaleido.
• Dash Integration: If you plan to use Dash, test a simple Dash app with Plotly plots.

Advanced Configuration

For advanced use cases, you might need to configure additional settings.

Setting up Dash Integration

Dash is a Python framework for building web applications. To use Plotly with Dash, install the dash package:

pip3 install dash

Then, create a simple Dash app that uses Plotly plots.

Configuring Widget Support

Ensure that Jupyter widgets are properly configured for interactive Plotly plots. Re-run the jupyter nbextension enable command if you encounter issues.

Environment-Specific Settings

Depending on your environment (e.g., cloud server, local machine), you might need to adjust settings for optimal performance. For example, on a server without a display, you might need to use a virtual display like Xvfb for Kaleido to work correctly.

Performance Optimization

For large datasets, optimize Plotly plots by using techniques like downsampling and data aggregation. Also, consider using WebGL for rendering large numbers of data points.

Best Practices

Following best practices ensures a stable and secure environment for Plotly.

Using Virtual Environments

Always use virtual environments to isolate project dependencies. This prevents conflicts between different projects and ensures reproducibility.

Package Version Management

Keep track of package versions and update them regularly. Use tools like pip freeze to record the versions of installed packages.

Security Considerations

Be mindful of security when using Plotly in web applications. Sanitize user inputs and protect against cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.

Maintenance Tips

Regularly update Plotly and its dependencies to benefit from bug fixes and new features. Also, monitor your system for performance issues and address them promptly.

Troubleshooting Guide

Here are some common issues and their solutions. Addressing the issues promptly can maintain a stable Plotly setup.

Common Error Messages

• ModuleNotFoundError: This error indicates that a required module is not installed. Install the missing module using pip.
• ImportError: Similar to ModuleNotFoundError, this error occurs when a module cannot be imported. Check the module name and ensure it is installed correctly.
• Externally-managed-environment: If you get this error when using pip, it may relate to how packages are managed. Try using a virtual environment.

Installation Conflicts

Conflicts can arise when different packages require different versions of the same dependency. Use virtual environments to isolate dependencies and avoid conflicts.

Dependency Issues

Dependency issues occur when a package relies on another package that is not installed or has an incompatible version. Check the error message for details and install the missing or incompatible dependency.

Resolution Steps

When troubleshooting, follow these steps:

• Read the error message carefully.
• Search for the error message online.
• Check the Plotly documentation.
• Ask for help on forums or community channels.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Plotly. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing the Plotly on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS system. For additional or useful information, we recommend you check the official Plotly website.