The Effective Statistician - in association with PSI cover image

The Effective Statistician - in association with PSI

R-packages - best practices and useful tools

Mar 24, 2025
Daniel Sabanés Bové, a statistician from Roche and Google and founder of Arconis consulting, discusses the transformative power of creating R packages for code reuse and collaboration. He shares insights on overcoming common coding challenges and emphasizes that starting to write packages might happen sooner than you think. With tools like usethis and testthat, Sabanés walks through his process from idea to launch. He also highlights the vibrant R community, filled with creativity, collaboration, and fun elements like hex stickers.
20:55

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Creating R packages enhances code reuse and collaboration, addressing common challenges like documentation and readability to improve overall code quality.
  • A systematic approach to package development, starting with careful planning and prototyping, ensures effective organization and ongoing functionality as projects evolve.

Deep dives

The Importance of Creating R Packages

Creating R packages is essential for reusing code effectively and improving code reliability. One significant challenge in code reuse is the lack of documentation, which makes it difficult to understand the purpose and function of the code later on. Additionally, inconsistent coding styles and the use of vague variable names can further hinder code readability and maintenance. By encapsulating frequently used functions into packages, statisticians can not only enhance code organization but also streamline collaboration within teams.

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