Using RStudio
While base r provides the tools necessary to analyze complex datasets and perform most necessary functions. Utilizing R can be far easier through the use of RStudio.
This guide goes through the basics of the RStudio software.
What is RStudio?
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RStudio is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE). It allows for individuals to run various coding languages; predominantly R.
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RStudio Provides More Resources Then Base R. It can also help with Visualizing the Scripts that you are writing.
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RStudio provides a coding environment, global environment, console, and file storage location.
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RStudio also provides syntax highlighting and debugging assistance while writing code, making it especialy suitable for beginner and intermediate coders.
Downloading RStudio
You can Download RStudio for Windows,MacOS, and other softwares using the installer
Navigating the RStudio Environment
There are Four Sections of the RStudio IDE that we will cover in this guide
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Console
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Source
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Environment
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Output
The Console
The Console is where 1 line code is written to run single commands.
The > Arrow signifies the line that you will write code on
> #This is where you will write your commands
The + Symbol tells you your command is incomplete
> print
+ ("This is where you will need to finish your command")
The Up Arrow and Down Arrow will allow you to move through previously ran commands
The console is also home to our Terminal. The terminal operates as a Shell that allows us to interact with our computer file system and git.
We focus more on how to use the terminal in our Unix, and Git guides. Check them out!
The terminal is especially useful when executing commands to Make new Folders, Change Working Directories and connect with github services.
mkdir ("New_Folder")
cd ("path/to/your/desired/folder")
The Environment
The Environment, located at the top right is where all of our objects will be stored
This is where any Files we Read, Variables we Assign, and Databases we Work With will be stored
Stored_String <- "This variable will be stored in our environment"
read_csv("/This/will/store/in/our/environment.csv"")
The Environment Provides us With Information about the amount of rows, columns, and objects in variables stored within it.
We can also View and Interact with these elements in the environment.
If we want to view and access previously ran code, we can do so with the History Tab.
The Code Editor
The top left window of our IDE is where our Code Editing Platform is Located. For some operating systems such as Windows and Linux. you may need to press CTRL+Shift+N to open this window.
The code editor window is where you will be writing the majority of your code.
The code editor provides multilpe benefits:
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Code editor will highlight incorrect and incomplete command syntax and provide comments on what is incorrect before you run your code.
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You can have multiple files open at a time, allowing you to move between them and interact your global environment.
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You can create foldable code chunks with some file types, allowing you to run specific blocks of code and keep your script clean and organized.
Outputs
The Output Window is located at the bottom right of our IDE, it contains tools to navigate your system directory and manage your coding outputs:
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The Files Folder Houses Your System Directory You can create and manage new files, and navigate through your file tree.
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View Graphs and Other Plots That you Have ran in Your Script. You can export these as as images.
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Access a List of Installed r Packages That you can add to Your Code, giving you access to new commands that will help you meet your goals.
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Search up Commands and Functions, where it will provide you with examples of how to use them and what every part of the command is.
Next Steps
RStudio offers an interactive environment that allows you to view the products of your code while your making scripts. Next, we will look at how we can use R/RStudio to read in and work with data.