1.1 Installing RStudio

You will need to have a computer that you can access to download R and R Studio. The best solution is a laptop that you can bring to class daily. If you do not have a laptop computer, please let me know immediately. We can find an alternative solution.

Both R and RStudio are free and relatively easy to download. They are two separate applications. You will install them separately.

R is the suite of tools for running statistical operations and creating graphics. R is a programming environment. R is also an open system, meaning people are free to add on to R through packages. Packages add to the complexity of R but allow for expanded functionality.

RStudio is an application created to make it easier to write in R, much like Microsoft Word makes it easier to write English. By itself, R runs from a command line. RStudio makes working in R more user-friendly.

You should do this process in order.

  1. Download and install R.
  2. Download and install RStudio.

1.1.1 Downloading R on the Mac

  1. Follow this link. It will open a new browser window. Click on the R-4.1.0.pkg (notarized and signed) link.
  2. An installer will download to guide you through the installation process, which is very easy. The installer lets you customize your installation, but the defaults work, no need to change them. If your computer requires a password before installing new programs, you will need it here.
  3. R is wherever you open applications, but there is no need to open it directly.

1.1.2 Downloading R in Windows

  1. Follow this link. It will open a new browser window. Click on the Download R 4.1.0 for Windows link.
  2. The link downloads an installer program, which installs the most up-to-date version of R for Windows. Run this program and step through the installation wizard that appears. The wizard will install R into your program files folders and place a shortcut in your Start menu. Note that you will need to have all of the appropriate administration privileges to install new software on your machine. (If you have installed an application before, you should be good.)
  3. You can open R directly from the Start menu, but you shouldn’t need to.

1.1.3 Downloading RStudio

  1. Both Mac and Windows users should follow this link. It will open in a new window. 2, Select the download button below RStudio Desktop.
  2. The RStudio site should know whether you are on a Mac or Windows system. Assuming this works, select the big blue download button.
  3. Install the application.
  4. You can open it as you would any other application.
  5. RStudio is what you will want to open. Put it in the Start menu in Windows. Add it to dock or use Launchpad your on the Mac if that is how you open applications.