S Programming

by B.D. Ripley and W.N. Venables

Book Overview

S is a high-level language for manipulating, analysing and displaying

data. It forms the basis of two highly acclaimed and widely used data

analysis software systems, the commercial S-PLUS(R) and the Open

Source R. This book provides an in-depth guide to writing software in

the S language under either or both of those systems.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0387989668
• ISBN13: 9780387989662
• Release Date: April 2000
• Publisher: Springer
• Length: 265 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

S Programming

The open source implementation of the S language, called R, is a highly extensible system, for data analysis. Much of the strength of this package comes, from its extensibility. Using this extensibility, it is possible, to customize the existing capabilities in the R package as well as develop completely new capabilities. This has allowed R to become one of the formost platforms, for advanced data analysis. This book, is essential, for anyone who wishes to take advantage, of the extensibility features of R. While some aspects, of the book, are now out of date it should, none the less, be considered a required reference, for anyone wishing to do R programing.

Dense

This book is dense, yet it has a lot of high-level information that I could not find easily anywhere else. This is basically a programming reference for those who have experience in R and probably in some other programming language. For example, the information on loops (for, while, repeat) and their endings (next, break) is found on one page. I basically knew what these terms did from C++ and from prior use in R, but the page had all the extra detail that I had wanted to know. The section on functions is much longer but similarly pithy. At times, I wish there was more detail about easier stuff, but I'm thankful that the advanced/esoteric information is well explained. This book is a life-saver for me.

Very good book for R and S people

This is an excellent book for people who want to know R and S in deep. If anyone who just wants to use R/S+ packages(functions) this book probably is not good for introduction level. However, if you would like to know how to create or write your own functions this is a very good book. This book fills lots of pitfalls that readers might ignore. I only wish authors could publish the 2nd edition soon.

I don't understand these low reviews

No one has ever claimed that this is an introductory text, so those low reviews confuse me. If you want to use R or S+ to run existing models (which is fine: the existing models in R are great), then don't buy this book. If you need to program something new and even moderately general, though, you need this book. I'm unaware of any other sources that cover this material well and concisely.

Almost vital for those writing their own extensions

As stated in the book's Editorial review, the back cover, and other customer reviews, this book is *not an introductory book*. If you need that, check out Modern Applied Statistics with S-Plus (same authors). However, if you're familiar with an S dialact (R, S-Plus), and are writing your own functions, packages, etc., this book will save you from Great Anguish.It presents the ideas behind S; the engine under it all. In doing so, it is very good at shifting your thinking from S usage to S programming - thinking "close to the machine". It also walks you past the common traps, pointing out the "gotchas" along the way. It's not a big book; around 260 pages for a very big subject. It is, however, very clear and far-reaching. I can only think of one other book that puts as much clear information into such a small space; Kernighan and Ritchie's "The C Programming Language".On the whole, a very useful, very carefully written book.