RStudio
R itself comes with its own R Console, where you can write R commands and run programs, but it is highly recommended to also install RStudio, as it makes working with R a lot easier.
RStudio features 4 panes for common R tasks:
- Bottom left: The R console as you would see if launching normal R
- Top left: An editor for writing R scripts
- Top right: A helper pane for importing files, seeing R objects etc.
- Bottom right: File explorer, package list, Viewer
All the above are configurable.
Using RStudio
It is recommended that the console is used as a scratchpad to test out R commands, but for most of your work to be carried out in the R script editor. This not only gives good habits regarding reproduacability, but also means its easier to send your work to someone else.
RStudio are very active in the R community, and so have also launched several features such as RMarkdown, Shiny, and Addins that are all compatible with RStudio.
This website was created using a new RStudio RMarkdown feature, building websites out of RMarkdown files.
RStudio Server
RStudio is essentially a custom webbrowser, which means that it has almost the exact same interface on the desktop as its online server option, RStudio Server. This runs in a browser, giving user’s the same access to a configured server with say custom packages.