Added mplDeprecation warning when the -d argument is used. Minor improvements to the backend selection documentation.

Author: FlorianRhiem

doc/devel/coding_guide.rst

@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ external backend via the ``module`` directive.  if
 
     > python simple_plot.py -dmodule://my_backend
 
-* with the use directive is your script::
+* with the use directive in your script::
 
     import matplotlib
     matplotlib.use('module://my_backend')

doc/faq/usage_faq.rst

@@ -302,8 +302,10 @@ pygtk, wxpython, tkinter, qt4, or macosx; also referred to as
 "interactive backends") and hardcopy backends to make image files
 (PNG, SVG, PDF, PS; also referred to as "non-interactive backends").
 
-There are a four ways to configure your backend, in reversed order
-of precedence:
+There are a four ways to configure your backend. If they conflict each other,
+the method mentioned last in the following list will be used, e.g. calling
+:func:`~matplotlib.use()` will override the setting in your ``matplotlibrc``.
+
 
 #. The ``backend`` parameter in your ``matplotlibrc`` file (see
    :ref:`customizing-matplotlib`)::
@@ -329,9 +331,9 @@ of precedence:
 
        > python script.py -dbackend
 
-   This might conflict with scripts which parse
-   command line arguments (see issue
-   `#1986 <https://github.com/matplotlib/matplotlib/issues/1986>`_), so you
+   This method is **deprecated** as the `-d` argument might conflict with
+   scripts which parse command line arguments (see issue
+   `#1986 <https://github.com/matplotlib/matplotlib/issues/1986>`_). You
    should use :envvar:`MPLBACKEND` instead.
 
 #. If your script depends on a specific backend you can use the
@@ -340,12 +342,12 @@ of precedence:
       import matplotlib
       matplotlib.use('PS')   # generate postscript output by default
 
-   If you use the ``use``, this must be done before importing
-   :mod:`matplotlib.pyplot`, calling :func:`~matplotlib.use` after pyplot
-   has been imported will have no effect.  Using `use` will
-   require changes in your code if users want to use a different
-   backend.  Therefore, you should avoid explicitly calling ``use`` unless
-   absolutely necessary.
+   If you use the :func:`~matplotlib.use` function, this must be done before
+   importing :mod:`matplotlib.pyplot`. Calling :func:`~matplotlib.use` after
+   pyplot has been imported will have no effect.  Using
+   :func:`~matplotlib.use` will require changes in your code if users want to
+   use a different backend.  Therefore, you should avoid explicitly calling
+   :func:`~matplotlib.use` unless absolutely necessary.
 
 .. note::
    Backend name specifications are not case-sensitive; e.g., 'GTKAgg'

lib/matplotlib/__init__.py

@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ def _forward_ilshift(self, other):
 
 # cbook must import matplotlib only within function
 # definitions, so it is safe to import from it here.
-from matplotlib.cbook import is_string_like
+from matplotlib.cbook import is_string_like, mplDeprecation
 from matplotlib.compat import subprocess
 
 try:
@@ -1373,6 +1373,10 @@ def tk_window_focus():
     if s.startswith(str('-d')) and len(s) > 2:  # look for a -d flag
         try:
             use(s[2:])
+            warnings.warn("Using the -d command line argument to select a "
+                          "matplotlib backend is deprecated. Please use the "
+                          "MPLBACKEND environment variable instead.",
+                          mplDeprecation)
             break
         except (KeyError, ValueError):
             pass