[R] Statistical computing

[Pikounis, Bill]

Hi Tanya,
You really cannot lose with either Perl or Python.  Either of them, along
with other tools mentioned, will suffice for making your work SAS-free. But
I would also not underestimate R for "data-cleaning"...

> Is there a fairly easy way to become SAS-free for data management and 
> cleaning? I'm told R is really not ideal for data cleaning. 

I must admit that I am always eager to debunk the myth that SAS is (so much)
better than the S language for data management, because to me the myth
mostly points out that many statisticians have never used anything else but
SAS.

Best Regards,
Bill

----------------------------------------
Bill Pikounis, Ph.D.
Biometrics Research Department
Merck Research Laboratories
PO Box 2000, MailDrop RY84-16  
126 E. Lincoln Avenue
Rahway, New Jersey 07065-0900
USA

v_bill_pikounis at merck.com

Phone: 732 594 3913
Fax: 732 594 1565


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tanya Murphy [mailto:tmurph6 at po-box.mcgill.ca]
> Sent: Monday, March 31, 2003 9:04 AM
> To: Bashir Saghir (Aztek Global); r-help at stat.math.ethz.ch
> Subject: RE: [R] Statistical computing
> 
> 
> Thanks to all who have replied to this. I find the advice 
> very encouraging. 
> I've been reading the recommended links on Sweave and I think 
> it will answer a 
> major part of my goals.
> 
> As for Perl vs. Python, I don't know which would be best. 
> I've started out in 
> Perl because someone got me started with a little Perl 
> program, but I've 
> looked at Python, too. I'm working in Windows (and that's not 
> likely to change 
> anytime soon--at the office, anyway) and I think WinEdt 
> serves as a good 
> enhanced editor for the main applications--LaTex, R and 
> Perl--as well as a way 
> to organize the files for a project. The GUI for Pyton seems 
> nice, too, 
> though.
> 
> Saghir, why do you prefer Python?
> 
> Is there a fairly easy way to become SAS-free for data management and 
> cleaning? I'm told R is really not ideal for data cleaning. 
> Is this what RODBC 
> is about?
> 
> Tanya
> 
> 
> >===== Original Message From "Bashir Saghir (Aztek Global)" 
> <Saghir.Bashir at UCB-Group.com> =====
> >Dear Tanya,
> >
> >Have you considered using Python (www.python.org) instead of 
> Perl? I use
> >Python, LaTeX, and R for doing what you describe. My process 
> is evolving and
> >cannot recommend it as being the best. Essentially I am 
> moving towards a
> >database approach currently using dictionaries in Python. In 
> the longer term
> >I plan to switch to MySQL.
> >
> >In summary I split the problem into bits that link into a relational
> >database and use meta data to run my reports. So once the 
> data base is set
> >up I only need to give the key information and my programs 
> find all relevant
> >information in the database meaning that I never need to 
> modify any programs
> >to run a report with new data - just the database.
> >
> >I don't know of any references for this bnut if you get any 
> to your original
> >query I would be interested.
> >
> >Best regards,
> >Saghir
> >
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From:	Tanya Murphy [SMTP:tmurph6 at po-box.mcgill.ca]
> >> Sent:	Friday, 28 March, 2003 5:42 PM
> >> To:	r-help
> >> Subject:	[R] Statistical computing
> >>
> >> Hello,
> >>
> >> I've been trying to familiarize myself with the computing 
> tools of the
> >> trade
> >> (e.g. SAS, R, Perl, LaTex) and I've been getting somewhere with the
> >> individual
> >> programs, but I'm trying to get a better sense of how to 
> integrate these
> >> tools. I'd like to use scripts and create reports in a 
> more organized way.
> >> Can
> >> anyone recommend books or, better yet free online 
> articles, on this topic?
> >>
> >> Maybe I should be a little more specific about what I do: 
> I'm a research
> >> assistant in clinical epidemiology doing mainly data management and
> >> analysis.
> >> I do a number of repetitive tasks like updating a research 
> database from
> >> the
> >> original clinic database and other sources, create reports, create
> >> graphical
> >> output for individual patients, as well as work on 
> individual research
> >> projects. Unfortunately I am not working closely with 
> 'real' statisticians
> >> who
> >> have probably developped good work habits using these 
> tools. Any advice on
> >>
> >> 'the big picture' would be greatly appreciated.
> >>
> >> Thanks!
> >>
> >> Tanya Murphy
> >>
> 
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