
Contents
Preface xix
Bio xxiii
1 Introduction to Parallel Processing in R 1
1.1 Recurring Theme: The Principle of Pretty Good Parallelism 1
1.1.1 Fast Enough . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.1.2 “R+X” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.2 A Note on Machines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.3 Recurring Theme: Hedging One’s Bets . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.4 Extended Example: Mutual Web Outlinks . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.4.1 Serial Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.4.2 Choice of Parallel Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.4.3 Meaning of “snow” in This Book . . . . . . . . . . . 8