[R] smoothest way to upgrade R, say from 2.6.1 to 2.6.2?

[Prof Brian Ripley]

If this _is_ Windows, the question is discussed in detail in the rw-FAQ.
That document also discusses how to install packages into a site or 
personal library which can make upgrading easier.

Another consideration not told to us was whether one wants to keep around 
a working copy of the older version.  My dept does so (so students can use 
a consistent version when preparing their theses, for example), and that 
affects the choice of strategy.

On Thu, 13 Mar 2008, Stefan Grosse wrote:

> On Thursday 13 March 2008 06:05:15 pm Galkowski, Jan wrote:
> GJ> (1) How do people manage an upgrade, from 2.6.1, say, to 2.6.2?  2.6.2
> GJ> will create its own subdirectory, obliging a copy of library contents to
> GJ> the new spot.  The documents are easier.
>
> You forgot to enlighten us about your system. From what you are telling I
> would guess its Windows (XP?). On my windows machine I install R in the very
> same directory of the old R. So you could create programs/R and there install
> your R but of course you must then alternate the suggested directory during
> the installation.
>
> GJ>
> GJ> (2) The problem with simply copying library contents is a fear of upward
> GJ> incompatibilities.  Am I worrying for naught here?  Are packages upward
> GJ> compatible but possibly not downwardly so?
>
> There is no problem within minor releases like 2.6.1 -> 2.6.2 but on
> greater "jumps" update.packages offers the option checkbuilt which if set
> TRUE updates the packages to their next built. So if 2.7.0 is released and
> you install that are over your old you should enable this option.
>
>
> GJ> (3) What about changing shortcuts, places for .Rprofile and the like?
> GJ> Do people have scripts that do all these things at once?
>
> See above
>
> GJ>
> GJ> It would be nice to have a single control file where R binaries and
> GJ> libraries and the like could be specified.  That way, all that would
> GJ> need to be done is edit one file with an uptick on a point release
> GJ> number, say, and things would be fine.
>
> I don't think this is necessary.
>
> Cheers
> Stefan
>
>
>
> --
> Microeconomics
> University of Erfurt
>
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-- 
Brian D. Ripley,                  ripley at stats.ox.ac.uk
Professor of Applied Statistics,  http://www.stats.ox.ac.uk/~ripley/
University of Oxford,             Tel:  +44 1865 272861 (self)
1 South Parks Road,                     +44 1865 272866 (PA)
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