Update about python figure

[jstac]

This figure needs to be updated: https://python-programming.quantecon.org/about_py.html#relative-popularity

[mmcky]

Notes on updating the PyTorch vs MATLAB figure

The current figure (lectures/_static/lecture_specific/about_py/pytorch_vs_matlab.png) is a screenshot from Stack Overflow Trends showing monthly % of SO questions for pytorch vs matlab tags.

How to update

1. Visit https://trends.stackoverflow.co/?tags=pytorch,matlab
2. If the chart loads, right-click the chart image → Save As (or screenshot and crop)
3. Save to lectures/_static/lecture_specific/about_py/pytorch_vs_matlab.png

Current blocker

As of 2026-03-26, the SO Trends API backend (/api/trends/) is returning HTTP 500 errors, so the chart doesn't render. This appears to be an ongoing outage on Stack Overflow's side.

Alternative approaches if the outage persists

• Stack Exchange Data Explorer (SEDE): Run a SQL query at data.stackexchange.com to get monthly tag counts as % of total questions, then plot with matplotlib. Example query:

  SELECT
    DATEFROMPARTS(YEAR(p.CreationDate), MONTH(p.CreationDate), 1) AS Month,
    t.TagName,
    COUNT(*) AS TagCount
  FROM Posts p
  JOIN PostTags pt ON p.Id = pt.PostId
  JOIN Tags t ON pt.TagId = t.Id
  WHERE t.TagName IN ('pytorch', 'matlab')
  GROUP BY DATEFROMPARTS(YEAR(p.CreationDate), MONTH(p.CreationDate), 1), t.TagName
  ORDER BY Month, t.TagName

• Stack Exchange API with key: Register an app at stackapps.com to get 10,000 req/day (vs 300 unauthenticated). A script at scripts/update_so_trends.py exists but exhausts the unauthenticated quota before finishing (~400 requests needed).

What else needs updating

The existing figure data goes through ~mid-2025. The text in about_py.md around the figure is fine — just the PNG needs refreshing with current data.