[R] Basic Problem with Data Input

[Ben Tupper]

Hi,

Using the full path specification, as you have done in your second example, is a good idea.   Have you tried forward slashes?  If I am reading the docs correctly you should be able to use either forward or back slashes.  I haven't used R in Windows for ages, but my memory is that switching to forward slashes skirted any troublesome issues.  Try this...

filename <- "C:/Program Files/R/R-3.2.3/Appendix/DATA1.txt"
if (file.exists(filename)){
	X <- scan(file = filename, what = double())
} else {
	cat('file not found\n')
}

Here's the doc page...

https://cran.r-project.org/doc/manuals/r-release/R-intro.html#OS-facilities

Ben

> On Feb 7, 2016, at 3:23 PM, Walter Niessen <niessen at att.net> wrote:
> 
> Helpers,
> 
> I am a pretty savvy computer user (over 40 years) but am having trouble with the most basic process in using the R program.  I am taking a course to learn the statistics utility of “R” but can’t seem to get past the opening where it shows the student how to input data into R.
> 
> It suggests identifying as the a target folder in the Properties of the R x64 3.2.3 icon (I use a 64-bit Windows 7 OS) the location where data files are found. I entered: 
> 
> As the Target:  "C:\Program Files\R\R-3.2.3\bin\x64\Rgui.exe"  ... which contains Rgui.exe and the supporting dlls etc.
> 
> As the Start in: "C:\Program Files\R\R-3.2.3\Appendix" ... where Appendix is a folder which contains data files such as the text file DATA1.txt which I created from an Excel file.
> 
> When I try and get R to input the data, I get the following sequence of messages:
> 
> 
>> X=scan("DATA1.txt")
> Error in file(file, "r") : cannot open the connection
> In addition: Warning message:
> In file(file, "r") :
>  cannot open file 'DATA1.txt': No such file or directory
> 
> When I try again but use the complete file description, I get:
> 
> X=scan("C:\Program Files\R\R-3.2.3\Appendix\DATA1.txt")
> Error: '\P' is an unrecognized escape in character string starting ""C:\P"
> 
> I hate to ask a question not related to R or its features (that may come later), but, clearly, the first baby step is to be able to load data into the application . . . and, I am really frustrated with my inability to do so.  I apologize for this but really need to get past this business to jump into the REAL use of R.
> 
> Can you help?
> 
> Walt
> 
> Walter R. Niessen
> (978) 470-4622
> 
> P.S. I apologize, but I sent the first “edition” a few minutes ago without a Subject and not quite finished up.
> 
> 
> 
> 	[[alternative HTML version deleted]]
> 
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Ben Tupper
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
60 Bigelow Drive, P.O. Box 380
East Boothbay, Maine 04544
http://www.bigelow.org