Data analysis is difficult without the proper tools. It is almost impossible to extract patterns directly from a large set of numbers aligned in rows and columns and draw any conclusion, even for experts. A suitable tool, such as R, will remarkably boost your productivity in working with data. From my experience, learning a programming language is somehow like learning a human language. It is probably not a good idea to jump right into the details of vocabulary and grammar before looking at the big picture, getting motivated, and starting small. This chapter gives you a quick start by taking an overview of the R programming language in depth.
In this chapter, we will cover the following topics:
Introducing R
The need for R
Installing R
Tools required to write R code
As soon as the software and tools are ready to go, you will write a simple R program to experience how it basically works. Once this is done, the R journey will unfold from the basics to advanced techniques and applications.