Overview
This session introduced Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) using RStudio as an example.
Why use an IDE?
- Productivity: code editing, execution, debugging in one place
- Integrated tools: plots, packages, help, version control
- Project structure: reproducible and organised workflows
- Support: documentation, customization, cross-platform
Key RStudio components
- Source: write scripts and notebooks
- Console: run code interactively
- Environment: view objects and data
- Files / Plots / Packages / Help: navigation and outputs
Editor features
- Syntax highlighting
- Code completion (Tab / Ctrl+Space)
- Error diagnostics and hover tips
- File outline and navigation
Demonstrated workflow
- Writing and running a simple script
- Running code in console vs source
- Viewing objects in the Environment pane
- Creating and viewing plots
- Accessing help/documentation