matplotlib Axes.plot() vs pyplot.plot() : <p>What is the difference between the <code>Axes.plot()</code> and <code>pyplot.plot()</code> methods? Does one use another as a subroutine? </p>

<p>It seems that my options for plotting are</p>

<pre><code>line = plt.plot(data)
</code></pre>

<p>or </p>

<pre><code>ax = plt.axes()
line = ax.plot(data)
</code></pre>

<p>or even</p>

<pre><code>fig = plt.figure()
ax = fig.add_axes([0,0,1,1])
line = ax.plot(data)
</code></pre>

<p>Are there situations where it is preferable to use one over the other?    </p>
