Practical Data Science with R, Second Edition

Appendix A. Starting with R and other tools

In this appendix, we’ll show how you can install tools and start working with R. We’ll demonstrate some example concepts and steps, but you’ll want to follow up with additional reading.

Section A.1 is something all readers should review, as it shows where to get all of the software support materials for this book. The other sections should be considered on an as-needed basis, as they outline the details of how R works (something the reader may already know), and some specific applications (such as using databases) that may not be needed by all readers. Throughout the book we have tried to avoid teaching things “just in case,” but here in the appendixes we supply some things you only “might” need.