What is R?

GNU R is a free software environment for statistical computing and graphics. It compiles and runs on a wide variety of UNIX platforms, Windows and MacOS. It is an integrated suite of software facilities for data manipulation, calculation and graphical display. It includes

• an effective data handling and storage facility,


• a suite of operators for calculations on arrays, in particular matrices,


• a large, coherent, integrated collection of intermediate tools for data analysis,


• graphical facilities for data analysis and display either on-screen or on hardcopy, and


• a well-developed, simple and effective programming language which includes conditionals, loops, user-defined recursive functions and input and output facilities.