How can I use gnuplots with PuTTY for my programming class assignments?

[erok81]

I'm not quite sure where this thread should go. Feel free to move if needed.

I am taking a programming class and most of the homework I can do at home using PuTTY. However, the latest assignment uses gnuplots...which I cannot get to work with PuTTY. I am assuming it doesn't work because I can't open a second window for the plot to display. This also happens when I try to use emacs and & - it doesn't work.

As I don't have time to sit in the computer lab at school, I'd rather do the homework at home. So far only gnuplots have caused me issues working from home.

Any idea how to get something like gnuplots to work with a program like PuTTY?

 

[erok81]

If it helps here is the output when I try to plot a file.

G N U P L O T
Version 4.2 patchlevel 3.1
last modified Aug 2008
System: SunOS 5.10

Copyright (C) 1986 - 1993, 1998, 2004, 2007, 2008
Thomas Williams, Colin Kelley and many others

Type `help` to access the on-line reference manual.
The gnuplot FAQ is available from http://www.gnuplot.info/faq/

Send bug reports and suggestions to <http://sourceforge.net/projects/gnuplot>


Terminal type set to 'x11'
gnuplot> plot 'file.dat'

gnuplot: unable to open display ''
gnuplot: X11 aborted.

 

[robphy]

Do you have an xserver running on your computer?
For example: http://www.straightrunning.com/XmingNotes/
or one from http://x.cygwin.com/

Did you enable X11 forwarding in PuTTY?

 

[erok81]

How does one enable X11 forwarding?

I don't have an xserver. I did try something from my school website, but I don't think it did much.

Other than that I only have PuTTY out of the box with no mods or customizations.

 

[robphy]

In PuTTY, go to Connection-SSH-X11 to enable X11 forwarding.
Make sure you go back to Session to Save this setting.

You'll need to have an X server running before you login through PuTTY.
Xming might be the easiest solution for you.

 

[erok81]

Ha!

It works...at least for now. I got it to plot sin(x) and a secondary window popped up with a plot!

Thank you for help! I would have had to skip this assignment without your help. Much appreciated.

I should have just started digging around since it mentioned something about x11. I think because my school site said PuTTY won't work with gnuplot so I figured to get it work would have been harder.

Anyway, thanks again for the help. :)