Computing with the R Statistical Program

Installation binaries from CRAN (Comprehensive R Archive Network) Mirrors

Follow the instructions below for a quick setup. They are also in PDF format as the R Quick start guide.
You can also read the more extensive R installation guide for options and to try to solve any problems with installation.

• If using Windows, running the downloaded executable program will install R and an icon on your desktop.
  
  • Change the properties of the icon by RIGHT-CLICKING on the icon and choosing the "Properties" tab (the last item on the list).
  • Note the "Start in:" line. In my case, it shows "C:\Users\mcgahagan\", but your directory will have your name, and (unless using Windows 7) a different directory. This is your HOME directory.
  • Change the item "Run: " from its default setting of "Normal window" to "Maximized".
  • Click on the icon to start the program.

• The type used is rather small. You probably want to change the type to a larger size, and perhaps make it bold. To do so, go to the menu bar and click the item "Edit" and choose "GUI preferences".
  I suggest you change font size to 14 and style to "bold" Save your changes so that they will be automatically loaded the next time.

• Download my Stat1040.R file. You can do this from within the R program:
  • At the R prompt (">"), type the command (don't include the ">>>" but do include quotation marks):
    > source("http://www.pitt.edu/~upjecon/Stat1040.R")
  • Then issue the commands (include the pair of parentheses at the end):
    > get1040( )
    > getprofile( )

  • Test whether this has worked by exiting the program with the command
    >>> exit()

  • Then restart the program by clicking on the icon.

    If all has worked well,you should see the program start up by loading several files (the last one will be called "lattice") and you should notice that the prompt now has three greater than signs (">>>").

• R introductory session My tutorial offering a first exploration of R.
  Don't worry about every detail the first time through, but be sure to take a second and third trip through this handout. The material treated will be included in the first exam.

• Other recommended tutorials and websites:
  • R Tutorials by Deepayan Sarkar. Excellent brief introduction to R with exercises. You should work through the first 3 tutorials carefully as soon as possible.

  • Tutorial by Kelly Black, Clarkson U.
    Especially good walkthrough of probability and statistics commands. The homework exercises at the end of the tutorial should be done: download the data, read it in, and try the exercises for Case Study I.

  • R Graph Gallery
    One of R's great strengths is its graphic capabilities, illustrated here.

  • SimpleR: Using R for Introductory Statistics by John Verzani.
    An early version of Verzani's text, available from Amazon.