Knowledge Quiz: Install R and RStudio

Note

• Click the check-mark button to check your answer.
• Click the question-mark button to see an explanation of the solution.

What is CRAN?

A project management tool built into RStudioA paid subscription service bundled with RStudioA programming language similar to RThe official archive network where you download R

• Wrong: CRAN is unrelated to RStudio’s project features.
• Wrong: R and CRAN are both free.
• Wrong: CRAN is not a language, it’s a distribution website for R.
• Correct: CRAN (Comprehensive R Archive Network) is the official source for downloading R.

You already have R installed from a couple of years ago, and it still runs your old scripts without errors. Why does it still make sense to update to the latest version?

Old R versions eventually stop being able to open script files at allUpdating R is a required step before RStudio will openNewer R versions fix bugs and are often required for current R packages to install and work correctlyThere’s no real benefit, it’s just a suggestion

• Wrong: R script files (.R) don’t expire or become unreadable.
• Wrong: RStudio doesn’t check your R version before opening.
• Correct: even if your own old scripts still run, many packages you’ll need later are only tested against recent R versions.
• Wrong: package compatibility is a real, practical reason to stay current.

You’re trying to install R and RStudio on a laptop where you don’t have administrator rights, and the installers keep failing. What should you do?

Install RStudio only, and skip installing RKeep retrying the local installer until it eventually worksUse a cloud-based option such as posit.cloud (or MyWorkPlace, if eligible) instead of installing locallyAsk someone to install a version of R that doesn’t require administrator rights

• Wrong: RStudio alone can’t run R code, it needs R installed to function.
• Wrong: without admin rights, retrying the same installer won’t change the outcome.
• Correct: cloud-based options run R and RStudio in the browser, so no local admin rights are needed.
• Wrong: there’s no admin-rights-free version of the local installer, this is exactly what the cloud options solve.

Which statement about installing R and RStudio is correct?

R and RStudio come from the same download, you only need to install oneInstall R before RStudio, and use the free RStudio Desktop versionInstalling RStudio removes the need to separately install RInstall RStudio before R, and buy the paid professional version

• Wrong: R and RStudio are separate downloads from separate websites.
• Correct: RStudio needs R installed first to run code, and RStudio Desktop (free) is all you need for this module.
• Wrong: RStudio is only the interface, R still has to be installed separately.
• Wrong: R must be installed before RStudio can run any code, and the paid version isn’t needed here.