[R] copy contributed packages from R 2.2.0 to 2.2.1

[Michael Prager]

When I asked this question, I got some good answers.  Based on them, I 
wrote a pair of functions to accomplish this.  I have tested them in 
exactly ONE installation, and they worked.

Of course these are not needed by R gurus, but I attach them (with many 
more comment lines than actual source) for the use of anyone else who 
would like to use them.

MHP

Helmut Kudrnovsky wrote on 12/23/2005 9:43 AM:

>hi R-users,
>
>a few days ago R 2.2.1 came out. on my win xp i'installed R 2.2.0. along the time i've installed a lot of contributed packages. my internet-connection is not very fast.
>
> so my question:  is it possible after installing R 2.2.1 to do copy/paste the contributed packages from the C:\Programme\R221 to the  C:\Programme\R2.2.1- location in the files system?
>
>or have i to download and install the packages new?
>
>  
>
##################################################################################
#  Functions to (1) save names of installed package from an R 
installation to    #
#  a file and (2) install the same packages on a new R 
installation.             #
##################################################################################
#  HOW TO MOVE PACKAGES FROM ONE R INSTALLATION TO 
ANOTHER:                      #
#  Put this file in your R working directory.  Source it.  Run 
SaveMyPackages()  #
#  under the old installation.  Save your workspace and exit.  Open the 
new      #
#  installation on the same directory.  Run InstallMyPackages().  The 
packages   #
#  will be installed.  You may now rm(SaveMyPackages,InstallMyPackages) 
if you   #
#  like.  Also, you may delete the file "pkg.list" in the working 
directory.     #
##################################################################################
#  M. H. Prager      
mike.prager at noaa.gov                                        #
#  with much from posted code of U. Ligges, H. Nilsson, & B. Ripley   
           #
#  December, 
2005                                                                #
##################################################################################

SaveMyPackages <- function(filename = "pkg.list", savepkg = TRUE)
   {  #  Saves a character vector with names of non-default
      #  packages installed. Writes it to a "dput" ASCII file.
      #  ---> Run this from "old" installation. <---
      #  Arguments:
      #     filename --    Character, name of file to write.
      #     savepkg --     Logical, if TRUE save the file; if not, return
      #                    the vector of package names instead.
      foo <- installed.packages()
      foo <- as.vector(foo[is.na(foo[, "Priority"]), 1])
      if (savepkg) dput(foo, file = filename) else return(foo)
   }

InstallMyPackages <- function(x = dget(file = filename), filename = 
"pkg.list",
      install = TRUE)
   {  #  Install or print list of packages .
      #  ---> Run this from "new" installation. <---
      #  Arguments:
      #     x--         character, contains names of packages to 
install; default is
      #                 vector read from argument "filename".
      #     filename--  character, name of file containing vector (in 
dput format);
      #                 default is "pkg.list" as in SaveMyPackages.
      #     install--   logical, should actual installation be done?  If 
not,
      #                 the vector of package names in x is returned instead
      #                 of being installed.
      if (install) install.packages(x) else return(x)
   }
##################################################################################