Difference between chart, plot and graph

Question

I'm thinking of what would be the right terms to use in the UI of my new program, when referring to graphical data representations - i.e., whether to call them "charts", "plots" or "graphs". I was wondering how these terms are different, and when is it appropriate to use each of them?

Thanks,

Pradyumna

Answer 1

• Chart: Bar, line, or pie charts.

• Plot: X-Y plot or blueprints.

• Graph: Nodes connected by edges.

Answer 2

Wikipedia really does have a nice description of every one of them.

Plot / Chart / Graph

Answer 3

I feel your pain. Google searching on these words lately for software libraries was quite difficult due to the overlap in their usage.

Elementary school kids are taught that "graphs" are two dimensional grids used for "graphically" displaying math functions. Yet "graph theory" is about networks, not functions; see graphviz.

Business graphics calls a representation using symbols a "chart," such as a pie chart or bar chart, yet a stripchart is a type of plot.