[R] "Pipelining" programs in R

[Dan Rabosky]

Hello...

I would like to use R for 'pipelining' data among several programs.  I'm 
wondering how I can use R to call another program, feed that program a set 
of parameters, and retrieve the output.

E.g., I have an executable that, when opened, prompts the user to enter a 
set of parameters.  The program then executes & prompts the user for the 
name of an output file.  I need to run this program on a large batch of 
parameters, such that it would clearly be desirable to automate the 
process.  Is there a straightforward way to do this?  I can't find any 
online documentation addressing this topic, but perhaps I've not been 
looking in the right place.

In pseudocode, supposing I have a large array of parameters in R:

For each set of parameters
         -Open Program.
         -Enter Parameters.
         -Cause program to execute (typically done by simply entering " \n 
" after manually entering parameters).
         -Enter name of output file.
         -Close program.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Dan Rabosky



Dan Rabosky
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
237 Corson Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY14853-2701 USA
web: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/evb/Graduates_Dan.htm