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Okay so let me just start by saying: This is a wonderful straightforward breakdown of R vs. Python, thank you to all the contributors and especially @matloff!
However, I (predictably) have some bones to pick on the Tidyverse points. [1/7]
However, I (predictably) have some bones to pick on the Tidyverse points. [1/7]
First: "I am not including [...] ggplot2 and dplyr. Instead, I am referring to things such as tibbles and pipes."
1. dplyr without pipes? what? ggplot2 without `+`, which is pipe in disguise?
2. Is it really fair to say, "I don't like X, except the parts I like"?
[2/7]
1. dplyr without pipes? what? ggplot2 without `+`, which is pipe in disguise?
2. Is it really fair to say, "I don't like X, except the parts I like"?
[2/7]
Second: "... the plethora of extra functions Tidyverse advocates burden students with learning."
The trade-off is for consistency as compared to base R.
I learned {stringr} in an hour. I still have to look up `grep` and `gsub`. Same for {purrr} vs `apply`.
[3/7]
The trade-off is for consistency as compared to base R.
I learned {stringr} in an hour. I still have to look up `grep` and `gsub`. Same for {purrr} vs `apply`.
[3/7]
Third: "But the Tidyverse should be considered advanced R, not for beginners"
My opinion is the complete opposite. Tidyverse is wonderful for data exploration and teaching. As soon as I get going on a more complex research project, I tend to revert to Base.
[4/7]
My opinion is the complete opposite. Tidyverse is wonderful for data exploration and teaching. As soon as I get going on a more complex research project, I tend to revert to Base.
[4/7]
Last: "RStudio. [...] a commercial entity should not have such undue influence on an open-source project." Open-source is a beautiful thing, but there is a cost in consistency and maintenance. R packages are all over the place in terms of syntax, style, and updates.
[5/7]
[5/7]
To me, @rstudio has given us a beautiful compromise - the code itself remains open-source, but Tidyverse packages come with some guarantees.
Plus, great developers are being privately funded to focus on their open-source work, which is a win for the whole community!
[6/7]
Plus, great developers are being privately funded to focus on their open-source work, which is a win for the whole community!
[6/7]
Anyways - all this is just my personal opinion, as a recent born-again convert to the #tidyverse. No animosity to you Base Stalwarts out there!
[Addendum]
As long as I'm praising @rstudio: They also deserve a lot of credit for their commitment to supporting education. From free products for educators to funding student research - their generosity means an enormous amount to those of us with limited resources!
As long as I'm praising @rstudio: They also deserve a lot of credit for their commitment to supporting education. From free products for educators to funding student research - their generosity means an enormous amount to those of us with limited resources!
