Introducing Packages

Learning Objectives

1. Define a package
2. Install a package
3. Load a package

What is a package?

Set of R functions to make your life easier

Examples

• tidyverse : Data management
• ggplot2 : Graphics
• And ... many ... more!

Install a package

## - Always plural
## - Package name in quotes
## - Capitalization matters

install.packages("tidyverse")
    

Load a package

## - Always singular
## - Quotes not needed
## - Capitalization matters

library(tidyverse)
    

Where to Find Packages

• Over 10,000 packages on CRAN
• BioConductor
• GitHub

Popular Packages

• RStudio's collection
• CRAN's Task Views,
  themed collections recommended by the community.

How To Choose

Caveat emptor. Be judicious.

Look for:

1. How well maintained?
2. Can you judge the code yourself?
3. Has anyone heard of the author?
4. Peer reviewed articles? (sometimes)

Example: MatchIt on (CRAN) or its Website

And Now You Know!

Next up: Tidyverse