Chapter 1 R, RStudio and RStudio Cloud
1.1 Objectives
At the end of the chapter, the readers will
- be introduced to the R programming language
- be introduced to RStudio IDE
- be introduced to RStudio Cloud. RStudio Cloud is a platform where users can run RStudio on the cloud
- be able to install R on their local machine
- be able to install RStudio IDE on their local machine
- understand how to install latex editor (Miktex or Tex Live and MacTex). A latex editor is optional but is required if users want to render PDF outputs.
- understand the structure of R scripts work
- understand R packages and R Taskview
1.2 Introduction
R is a language and environment for statistical computing and graphics. It is a GNU project similar to the S language and environment developed at Bell Laboratories. R provides a wide variety of statistical (linear and nonlinear modelling, classical statistical tests, time-series analysis, classification, clustering and others) and graphical techniques and is highly extensible.
One of R’s strengths is the ease with which well-designed publication-quality plots can be produced, including mathematical symbols and formulae where needed. R is available as Free Software under the terms of the Free Software Foundation’s GNU General Public License in source code form. It compiles and runs on various UNIX platforms and similar systems (including FreeBSD and Linux), Windows and macOS.
1.3 RStudio IDE
RStudio is an integrated development environment (IDE) for R. It includes a console and syntax-highlighting editor that supports direct code execution and tools for plotting, history, debugging and workspace management.
RStudio is available in open source and commercial editions and runs on the desktop (Windows, Mac, and Linux) or in a browser connected to RStudio Server or RStudio Workbench (Debian/Ubuntu, Red Hat/CentOS, and SUSE Linux).
1.4 RStudio Cloud
RStudio Cloud\index{RStudio Cloud} by RStudio\index{RStudio} facilitates the learning of R. Anyone can sign up and start using RStudio\index{RStudio} on the cloud. It is one of the quickest ways to learn R.
Using RStudio Cloud\index{RStudio Cloud}, we do not have to install R on our local machine. RStudio Cloud\index{RStudio Cloud} allows collaboration between R teachers and students. It also helps colleagues work together on R projects.
RStudio\index{RStudio} described it as a lightweight, cloud-based solution that allows anyone to do, share, teach and learn data science online. And it also adds that by using this platform, we can
analyze our data using the RStudio IDE\index{RStudio IDE}, directly from our browser.
share projects with our team, class, workshop or the world.
teach data science with R to our students or colleagues.
learn data science in an instructor-led environment or with interactive tutorials.
RStudio Cloud\index{RStudio Cloud} has the free and the commercial version (which is fortunately very affordable). To start using RStudio Cloud\index{RStudio Cloud}, visit https://rstudio.cloud/. On the page, click `Sign Up`.
Sign up page for RStudio Cloud
With RStudio Cloud, there is almost nothing to configure and you do not need dedicated hardware, installation or annual purchase contract required. Individual users, instructors and students only need a browser to do, share, teach and learn data science.
1.5 Point and click R Graphical User Interface (GUI)
There are a number of GUI versions of R also known as R GUI. The interface resembles a popular statistical software SPSS. For example there are
- Bluesky statistics https://www.blueskystatistics.com/
- JAMOVI - https://www.jamovi.org/
BlueSky Statistics can help users to
- migrate from expensive propriety statistical applications to R.
- ease the R learning curve.
- use the cutting edge analytics available in R without having to learn programming.
- get results in true word processing tables automatically.
- quickly add your own menus and dialog boxes to any R functions.
Bluesky Statistics software interface
And this is jamovi software. jamovi aims to be a neutral platform, and takes no position with respect to competing statistical philosophies. The project was not founded to promote a particular statistical ideology, instead wanting to serve as a safe space where different statistical approaches might be published side-by-side, and consider themselves first-rate members of the jamovi community.
jamovi software
jamovi is an interesting software. It is a new “3rd generation” statistical spreadsheet. It is designed from the ground up to be easy to use, it is a compelling alternative to costly statistical products such as SPSS and SAS. jamovi is built on top of the R statistical language, giving you access to the best the statistics community has to offer. jamovi will always be free and open because jamovi is made by the scientific community, for the scientific community.
1.6 RStudio Server
You can run R and RStudio on the server. To do this you have to install RStudio Workbench. Previously, R Studio Workbench was known as RStudio Server. By using RStudio Server, R users can perform analysis on the server. Using RStudio server can give you a taste of cloud data analysis.
There are two versions of RStudio server:
- RStudio Server: This is the Open Source edition
- RStudio Workbench: This is the Professional edition.
At our medical school. we have RStudio Server Professional Edition (courtesy of RStudio, of course) running on our server here https://healthdata.usm.my/rstudio/auth-sign-in
1.7 Installing R and RStudio on Your Local Machine
To install R on your local machine, you have to have Admin Right to your machine. We recommend that you install
- R first,
- then RStudio
1.7.1 Installing R
Though you can use the native R software (that you just installed) to run R codes, we highly encourage you to use RStudio Integrated Desktop Environment (IDE).
We will show this step by step. First, let us install R on your machine. To install R, go to cran. Then choose the R version that’s correct for your machine OS. For example, for Windows OS the link is https://cran.r-project.org/bin/windows/base/R-4.2.1-win.exe. And for Mac OS, the download link is https://cran.r-project.org/bin/macosx/base/R-4.2.1.pkg. Similarly, if you are using Linux, follow the steps as listed before.
CRAN website
It is always recommended that users install the latest version of R. During this writing, the latest version is R version 4.2.1 known as Funny-Looking Kid version that was released on 2022/06/23. Users can have multiple R versions on the same local machines. So you do not need to uninstall the old R version to install a new R version.
1.7.2 Installing RStudio IDE
Now, to install RStudio IDE, go to the RStudio download page. Choose the supported platforms correct for your machine OS. The size of the download will be around 90-110 MB.
RStudio website
1.7.3 Checking R and RStudio Installations
Now, we assume you have installed both R and RStudio. To make sure they work perfectly (or at least for the first time), check:
Does your machine can load R? Depending on your OS, go and start R.
what version of R do you have? When R loads, look for the version of R.
Do you have RStudio? Depending on your OS, go and start RStudio.
what version of RStudio do you have? When RStudio loads, look for the version of R. If you have multiple R version, you can choose the R version of your choice by going to Tools then Global Options then General
Do you need to update R and RStudio? By knowing the versions of R and RStudio, now you know if you need to update both or one of them.
1.7.4 TinyTeX, MiKTeX or MacTeX (for Mac OS) and TeX Live
Based on experience, as R users develop more R skills, they may find converting their analysis into PDF documents desirable. It is necessary to install Latex editor if they want to convert the outputs they generated in R into PDF format. However, if they do not need to produce a PDF document, they do not have to install it. If they require more flexibility to edit their latex codes, then they may think of getting common latex editors such as Miktex, MacTex or Tex Live.
We encourage users to first install TinyTeX. If you render your R document into PDF just by using TinyTeX, then that’s enough. To install TinyTeX, follow the instruction from https://yihui.org/tinytex/ . For R users, it is simple running these two codes install.packages('tinytex') and tinytex::install_tinytex()
R Markdown
This is MiKTeX, if you are using Window OS
MikTeX webpage
And this is MacTeX, for the macOS users
MacTeX webpage
1.8 Starting your RStudio
You can either login to RStudio Cloud and automatically see the RStudio interface OR you can start RStudio on your local machine by loading it. Remember, to login to RStudio Cloud, go to https://rstudio.cloud. You will be asked for your username and password.
Click this link
RStudio Cloud space for this book
To start R on your machine, and if you are using Windows, find the RStudio program in your start bar on your machine. And start it. You will see an interface like the one below. This interface differs from what you see on your screen because I use the Vibrant Ink Theme. To choose the theme of your choice, click Global Options, then click Appearance. There are several themes available for you to choose.
Rstudio Interface with Vibrant Ink theme
What you see on RStudio now? You should see three panes if you start RStudio for the first time or four panes if you have used RStudio before.
RStudio Panes
1.8.1 Console tab
In Console tab, this is where we will see most of the results generated from codes in RStudio.
Console tab
1.8.2 Files, Plots, Packages, Help and Viewer Pane
In this console, you will see
- List of objects (Remember, R is an object-oriented-programming or oop)
- R files, datasets, tables, list etc
File, Plots, Packages, Help and Viewer pane
