R dummies

apply a certain algorithm on a whole set of objects at once. Above all, lists allowyou to write flexible and efficient code in R.Yet, many beginning programmers shy away from lists because they’reoverwhelmed by the possibilities. R allows you to manipulate lists in many differentways, but often it isn’t clear what the best way to perform a certain task is.Very likely, you’ll get into trouble at some point by missing importantdetails, but don’t let that scare you. There are a few simple rules that canprevent much of the pain:If you can name the elements in a list, do so. Working with names alwaysmakes life easier, because you don’t have to remember the order of theelements in the list.If you need to work on a single element, always use either [[]] or $.If you need to select different elements in a list, always use []. Havingnamed elements can definitely help in this case.If you need a list as a result of a command, always use [].If the elements in your list have names, use them!If in doubt, consult the Help files.