Dynamically updating plot in matplotlib

Is there a way in which I can update the plot just by adding more point[s] to it...

There are a number of ways of animating data in matplotlib, depending on the version you have. Have you seen the matplotlib cookbook examples? Also, check out the more modern animation examples in the matplotlib documentation. Finally, the animation API defines a function FuncAnimation which animates a function in time. This function could just be the function you use to acquire your data.

Each method basically sets the data property of the object being drawn, so doesn't require clearing the screen or figure. The data property can simply be extended, so you can keep the previous points and just keep adding to your line (or image or whatever you are drawing).

Given that you say that your data arrival time is uncertain your best bet is probably just to do something like:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy

hl, = plt.plot([], [])

def update_line(hl, new_data):
    hl.set_xdata(numpy.append(hl.get_xdata(), new_data))
    hl.set_ydata(numpy.append(hl.get_ydata(), new_data))
    plt.draw()

Then when you receive data from the serial port just call update_line.

Here is a way which allows to remove points after a certain number of points plotted:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
# generate axes object
ax = plt.axes()

# set limits
plt.xlim(0,10) 
plt.ylim(0,10)

for i in range(10):        
     # add something to axes    
     ax.scatter([i], [i]) 
     ax.plot([i], [i+1], 'rx')

     # draw the plot
     plt.draw() 
     plt.pause(0.01) #is necessary for the plot to update for some reason

     # start removing points if you don't want all shown
     if i>2:
         ax.lines[0].remove()
         ax.collections[0].remove()

In order to do this without FuncAnimation (eg you want to execute other parts of the code while the plot is being produced or you want to be updating several plots at the same time), calling draw alone does not produce the plot (at least with the qt backend).

The following works for me:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
plt.ion()
class DynamicUpdate():
    #Suppose we know the x range
    min_x = 0
    max_x = 10

    def on_launch(self):
        #Set up plot
        self.figure, self.ax = plt.subplots()
        self.lines, = self.ax.plot([],[], 'o')
        #Autoscale on unknown axis and known lims on the other
        self.ax.set_autoscaley_on(True)
        self.ax.set_xlim(self.min_x, self.max_x)
        #Other stuff
        self.ax.grid()
        ...

    def on_running(self, xdata, ydata):
        #Update data (with the new _and_ the old points)
        self.lines.set_xdata(xdata)
        self.lines.set_ydata(ydata)
        #Need both of these in order to rescale
        self.ax.relim()
        self.ax.autoscale_view()
        #We need to draw *and* flush
        self.figure.canvas.draw()
        self.figure.canvas.flush_events()

    #Example
    def __call__(self):
        import numpy as np
        import time
        self.on_launch()
        xdata = []
        ydata = []
        for x in np.arange(0,10,0.5):
            xdata.append(x)
            ydata.append(np.exp(-x**2)+10*np.exp(-(x-7)**2))
            self.on_running(xdata, ydata)
            time.sleep(1)
        return xdata, ydata

d = DynamicUpdate()
d()