Introduction
To R

Getting Started

R stores your data in a hidden directory called .RData so that it persists between R sessions. You can have multiple .RData directories in different system directories, simply run R in that directory to create it.

So, when you start a new project, you will probably first want to make a directory with mkdir and then run R in that directory interactively from the command line:

$ mkdir Project
$ cd Project
$ R

R : Copyright 2001, The R Development Core Team
Version 1.3.1  (2001-08-31)

R is free software and comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY.
You are welcome to redistribute it under certain conditions.
Type `license()' or `licence()' for distribution details.

R is a collaborative project with many contributors.
Type `contributors()' for more information.

Type `demo()' for some demos, `help()' for on-line help, or
`help.start()' for a HTML browser interface to help.
Type `q()' to quit R.

>

Now when you start R with this as its working directory it will store its data there. There are ways of reading datasets stored in different chapters, and these will be discussed later.

You quit R by typing q() at the prompt.

> q()

At this point you will be asked whether you want to save the data from your R session. You can respond yes, no or cancel (a single abbreviation letter will do) to save the data before quitting, quit without saving, or return to the R session. Data which is saved will be available in future R sessions.

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