5.2 RStudio “Projects”

“RStudio projects are associated with R working directories. You can create an RStudio project:

• In a brand new directory
• In an existing directory where you already have R code and data
• By cloning a version control (Git or Subversion) repository ”

5.2.1 Advantages

• When re-opening a project, all the environment (path, objects) is restored (no data loss)
• Multiple projects can be created in parallel, keeping objects and environment separated (no project “cross-contamination”)

5.2.2 Project for the course

We will create an RStudio “Project” for this workshop. This will allow us to stay organized and easily open the project and associated data.

To create a project:

• Go to File -> New Project…

• Create Project: “New directory”

• Project Type: “New project”

• Create New Project:
  • Choose directory name, e.g. DataViz_R
  • Navigate to the directory where you want the R project to be created and stored. Here, we can choose ~/Documents:

• A new session has now been started, where the working directory is automatically set to the directory where you chose your project to be stored:

5.2.3 Leave the project

When you close the RStudio project, make sure you save .RData file (environment):

We will see it in practice as we finish day 1.

5.2.4 Re-open the project

In the project folder, double-click on the .Rproj file, e.g. DataViz_R.Rproj:

Note that, when re-opening a project, all environment is restored but you will need to reload packages.