Update index.md (#22824)

Edited for clarity, added clarification on the assignment operators and gave examples of types of objects.
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DataCowboy
2018-11-27 10:35:34 -05:00
committed by Christopher McCormack
parent cbb7ffb29e
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@ -3,25 +3,42 @@ title: Objects in R
--- ---
## Objects ## Objects
R allows to save the data by storing it inside an R object. R allows the user to save the data by storing it inside an object.
## Whats an object? ## Whats an object?
It is just a name that you can use to call up stored data. For example, you can save data into an object like a or b. An object is a name that you can use to call up stored data. For example, you can save data into an object like a or b.
```r ```r
> a <- 5 > a <- 5
> a > a
[1] 5 [1] 5
``` ```
There are many types of objects in R. Two of the most common are as lists and functions.
Example of a list:
```
> a <- list(1, "Hello, world!", FALSE)
```
Lists can contain mixed types of data (number, string and boolean in this example).
There are many built in functions in R. The user can also make a 'user defined' function, as you see below.
The following creates the function circleArea that calculates the area of a circle (A = π r2).
```
>circleArea <- function(r){
A <- pi * r^2
return(A)
}
```
## How to create an Object in R? ## How to create an Object in R?
1. To create an R object, choose a name and then use the less-than symbol, `<`, 1. To create an R object, choose a name and then use the less-than symbol, `<`,
followed by a minus sign, `-`, to save data into it. This combination looks like an followed by a minus sign, `-`, to save data into it. This combination looks like an
arrow, `<-`. R will make an object, give it your name, and store in it whatever arrow, `<-`. R will make an object, give it your name, and store in it whatever
follows the arrow. follows the arrow. You can also use the '=' sign, but this is a less common method to assign a value to an object and generally frowned upon.
2. When you ask R whats in a, it tells you on the next line. For example: 2. When the user calls the object in the console it provides the output on the next line. For example:
```r ```r
> die <- 1:6 > die <- 1:6
@ -38,7 +55,6 @@ Second, a name cannot use some special symbols, like `^, !, $, @, +, -, /
5. You can see which object names you have already used with the function `ls()`. 5. You can see which object names you have already used with the function `ls()`.
## References ## References
- [Official Docs](https://cran.r-project.org/manuals.html)
* [Official Docs](https://cran.r-project.org/manuals.html) - [Objects in R by r-bloggers](https://www.r-bloggers.com/classes-and-objects-in-r/)
* [Objects in R by r-bloggers](https://www.r-bloggers.com/classes-and-objects-in-r/) - [CRAN](https://cran.r-project.org/doc/manuals/r-release/R-lang.html)
* [CRAN](https://cran.r-project.org/doc/manuals/r-release/R-lang.html)