Seaborn Heatmaps vs Matplotlib: Which is Better?

What are the main differences between Seaborn heatmaps and Matplotlib heatmaps?

Seaborn heatmaps are built on top of Matplotlib and offer a more aesthetically pleasing default style. They also provide easier syntax for complex visualizations, while Matplotlib gives you more control over customization.

Can you show me an example of how to create a heatmap in both libraries?

Sure! In Seaborn, you can use sns.heatmap(data) while in Matplotlib, you would use plt.imshow(data, cmap='hot', interpolation='nearest'). Would you like to see the full code?

Yes, please provide the full code for both.

Here's the Seaborn example:

import seaborn as sns
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np

data = np.random.rand(10, 12)
sns.heatmap(data)
plt.show()

And for Matplotlib:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np

data = np.random.rand(10, 12)
plt.imshow(data, cmap='hot', interpolation='nearest')
plt.colorbar()
plt.show()

Which one should I use for my data visualization project?

If you prioritize aesthetics and ease of use, go with Seaborn. If you need detailed customization, Matplotlib might be better.