title: matplotlib Axes.plot() vs pyplot.plot()
body: <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>