Upgrading Your R Scripts With Software Development Principles [ResBaz]

Maturing from a beginner R programmer to an intermediate-level R developer can be a difficult transition to make. What sorts of concepts should you spend time learning about, and what sorts of practices will help you to level-up your programming game? This 1-hour talk is aimed at researchers who are comfortable with basic R syntax but find themselves overwhelmed by what to do next to improve their scripts. We'll introduce RStudio Projects, managing code history with version control, breaking down scripts into functions, using dependency management tools, and publishing your code repositories to promote your work and give back. Adding these skills and practices to your toolbox will save you time, help you to collaborate more effectively on analyses, and ensure your findings remain reproducible years after publication.