How to Learn R Programming

R is an environment and language developed for statistical computing and graphical tasks. Those who work with this open-source language can perform a range of statistical tasks, such as time-series analysis, clustering, and classification, and can also create stunning graphical representations of their data findings. The number of options for learning R programming might be overwhelming at first glance. There are books, video tutorials, classes, and more; choosing one will ultimately depend on your learning style and personal preferences.

Here, we’ll discuss the various methods of learning R so you can make an informed decision about how you’d like to get started.

What is R Programming?

R is a programming language that statisticians created for statistical data analytics. This popular language has a range of applications for performing statistical computing and creating data visualizations. It is often used by Data Scientists, Business Analysts, Data Analysts, and those working in academia or science for tasks specifically involving statistical analysis. R is currently available for free and can run on Windows and Mac OS, as well as a variety of UNIX platforms and related systems.

R provides users with a range of graphical and statistical techniques, such as time-series analysis, clustering, classification, and linear and nonlinear modeling. One of the benefits of working with R is that it simplifies the process of creating publication-quality plots, especially those that incorporate formulas or mathematical symbols. This versatile language includes a fully integrated suite of software tools, such as a data storage and handling facility, operations for performing calculations on arrays, an extensive, integrated set of data analytics tools, and graphical tools designed to analyze and visualize data.

Read more about what R programming is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with R Programming?

R was created to primarily help with graphics and statistical computations. This language can accomplish various tasks, from data storage to data analysis to generating statistical models. Of all the available programming languages, R is considered to be the one with the most tools devoted exclusively to statistics. This language can aid with descriptive statistics tasks, like calculating standard deviations and designing models for mapping linear regression.

One of R’s most useful features is its ability to help users create customized data visualizations and dashboards. Some consider R’s ggplot2 package the best data visualization tool available. This package allows users to draw nearly any plot they can conceive. In addition, those who wish to take their data visualizations in R to the next level can combine ggplot2’s syntax with Plotly’s interactive features to make dashboards that are as engaging as they are interactive. 

R draws from various machine learning tools so that users can make accurate, data-driven predictions. Users can select from an array of machine learning models, which have applications for creating predictive models, such as movie recommendation systems and churn models. In addition, R users can automate reporting by using R Markdown documents. R Markdown offers a straightforward, accessible syntax to generate various reports, such as presentations, books, or other written documents. This helps R users easily communicate data analysis results with others. 

In-Person R Programming Training

In-person R training is an engaging and effective way to study this programming language. Those who enroll in classroom study have access to a computer lab equipped with the latest software and tools. In addition, participants receive instruction from an expert instructor, who is available to explain tricky concepts, provide guidance, and answer questions as they arise. Another perk of this type of study is that it facilitates networking and forming connections with other learners on the same programming study journey. However, one potential drawback to consider is that in-person R coursework requires attending regularly scheduled classes, which can involve taking off work, and the cost and time associated with commuting to and from campus for each meeting.

A variety of in-person R classes are offered for those new to this language and intermediate and advanced learners interested in mastering more complex R skills. Noble Desktop’s Data Analytics with R Bootcamp is an immersive class that covers various core concepts in the R language using the RStudio environment. Participants receive instruction on how R can synchronously interact with both online and local data sources and how to apply R toward visualizations and user interfaces that create output specific to the user’s specifications. Students explore data wrangling, conditionals, looping, the Shiny app, and SQL concepts. 

Noble also has a Data Science Certificate that prepares those enrolled to become Data Scientists. Students in this intensive, hands-on program work with Python for data analysis, use SQL to query databases, and design their own machine learning models. All students receive one-on-one mentoring from industry experts. Instruction is also available in R from NYC Data Science Academy. Its Data Science with R: Data Analysis and Visualization program offers a comprehensive overview of R, including instruction on data processing, manipulation, analysis, and visualization.

Live Online R Programming Training

Another effective and engaging way to learn R is through live online training. Just like in-person study, this form of study allows students to connect with an expert instructor in real-time, who’s available to offer support and guidance and answer questions as they arise. Participants in live online R courses have the added perk of working from the comfort of their home or office space without the hassle of commuting to and from class and battling rush-hour traffic. However, one point to consider is that live online study still requires attending regularly scheduled class meetings, which can mean taking time off work to learn R. 

If you’re interested in studying R in the live online environment, excellent learning options are available from Noble Desktop and other top educational providers. Live online R programming classes are offered for those new to coding and advanced programmers interested in taking their R skills to the next level. Noble’s Data Analytics with R Bootcamp is a live, interactive class that students can complete entirely on Zoom. Participants receive instruction on core programming concepts, such as performing data wrangling, using SQL, creating charts with ggplot2, and working with the Shiny app. 

Noble also has a Data Science Certificate for those interested in becoming Data Scientists. All participants receive hands-on training from industry experts, have access to one-on-one mentoring, and can retake the course for up to a year at no additional cost to revisit the material. In addition to programming fundamentals like reading and writing database queries, those enrolled also receive instruction on creating machine learning models and using Python to automate tasks.

Live online R instruction is also offered from NYC Data Science Academy in the Data Science with R: Data Analysis and Visualization class. This program prepares students to create data visualizations and reports and process and analyze data.

Free Online Courses & Tutorials

Are you looking instead for an overview of R programming before diving into an entire course? If this sounds like you, you can begin learning about R programming and other core data science concepts for free online. In this free Intro to Data Science seminar offered by Noble Desktop, you’ll receive an 80-minute overview of how Python is used in data science. This webinar covers the advantages of working with Python in data science and an introduction to the field of data science. This seminar is a great way to learn about data science before enrolling in a class or certificate program.

Other top educational providers also provide free beginner-friendly R materials. Coursera’s R Programming is a fully online, intermediate-level R class that spans 57 hours. Participants learn how R is used for data analysis and different practical issues that can occur in statistical computing, such as using R loop functions and debugging tools. Udemy’s R Basics: R Programming Language Introduction is a free, beginner-friendly class in which participants study how to navigate the RStudio interface, create basic graphs, and execute common commands using R. Udemy also offers a business-specific R course: learn R for Business Analytics. Those enrolled receive instruction on how to leverage R for business analytics. Topics covered include leading packages into R, importing data into R, and running various macros with this programming language.

Read more about free R programming videos and online tutorials.

On-Demand R Programming Classes

In addition to in-person and live online R training, you can study this programming language in the asynchronous learning environment. Self-paced R programming training provides much more flexibility than in-person and live online study. Since content is pre-recorded, it can be watched at any time, from any location, which makes it a suitable learning method for those who must balance their R study with other commitments, such as full-time work or a family. In addition, because the content is pre-recorded, it can be paused as often as needed for note-taking and can be watched and re-watched to help with retention.

On-demand R study is a much more cost-effective learning option than in-person or live online classes. Unlike bootcamps or certificates, which can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars, self-paced content is often available for a much lower cost; some are even provided for free. Because of the popularity of the R programming language, there are many options from which to select. When deciding which is best for you, it’s important to ensure the content is up-to-date and provides real-world examples to help you retain and apply the lessons.

One of the main challenges of on-demand R study is that no instructor is available to answer questions. This can make it difficult for some learners to grasp complex programming concepts. This is why self-paced R training is a good way to begin learning about R. However, if you are interested in more than an overview of this language, in-person or live online study may be a better option because of the guidance these learning methods provide. 

Which Learning Method is Right for Me?

With so many resources available to help beginners learn R, you might be unsure which is best for you. Everyone has different learning styles and preferences, and you can experiment with multiple tools to see which one feels like the best match for you. One of the best things about directing your learning path is that you can choose which combination of tools is most suited to your learning style rather than sticking with one that a teacher chooses.

It’s also important to consider your current schedule before selecting a learning method. If you are balancing responsibilities like family commitments and full-time employment with your R study, you might not be able to devote the necessary time to a structured course that involves regularly scheduled class meetings. In this case, pre-recorded video tutorials or a self-paced R class may be a better option since they allow you to access content as your schedule permits. On the other hand, those who have a more flexible schedule might prefer the structure afforded by an in-person or live online R class.

Why Learn R Programming?

Learning to program with R has many benefits and applications across data-related industries and professions. This language is free and open source, which makes it widely accessible. Because it’s available under the General Public License, it has no license restrictions; users can modify code as necessary. Since this language can run on various operating systems, it performs seamlessly, whether you’re using a Windows, Mac, or Linux-based system. In addition, R offers an array of built-in functions and more than 10,000 packages, which can help with data manipulation, statistical modeling, machine learning, and data visualization, among others. 

Another perk of working with R is that it has a large community that can assist as necessary with questions and other R-related topics. This means that R users can seek advice from those who have completed projects like the one they are working on or collaborate with others. There are even data science contests available to test users’ R skills. For those working with data visualization, R offers packages like plotly, ggvis, and ggplot2, which are great resources for designing print-quality graphs. R’s package, Shiny, allows users to create their own dashboards and interactive web pages right from the R Console. Shiny web apps can then be hosted on any cloud service, like AWS.

Read more about why you should learn R programming. 

Level of Difficulty, Prerequisites, & Cost 

Because R is offered as a free software environment for graphical and statistical computing tasks, downloading and using this language does not require any additional costs. R can run on various UNIX platforms, as well as macOS and Windows. If you want to download R, you can do so directly from The R Project for Statistical Computing’s website. You will need to select your preferred CRAN mirror before downloading. 

If you’re interested in learning R, there are a few prerequisites to consider studying first that can help you acquire this programming language easier and faster. Because R is often used for statistical analysis, it’s essential to have a strong background in mathematics and statistics. In addition, since R also has applications for data visualization, it’s helpful to be familiar with basic visualization options, such as working with plots and graphs. Some people who learn R also find it helpful to understand fundamental analytics skills and practices so that it will be easier to spot and use the patterns that emerge in data. In addition, you may consider learning basic programming concepts before studying R. 

R is known to be challenging to learn for most people. Because its syntax is so different from most other programming languages like Python, it can be hard to read R. In addition, core operations, such as naming, selecting, and renaming variables, tend to be more challenging for most R users than in other languages. For those who have a background in other programming languages or have worked previously in the data sciences, it may be easier to learn R than those who are novices to coding or this field. However, some Data Scientists struggle using R due to its numerous GUIs, extensive commands, and inconsistent function names. Like any skill, the more time you spend becoming familiar with R’s rules, the easier it will be to work with this language.

Read about how difficult it is to learn R programming. 

Learn R Programming with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop has several excellent learning options for those new to R and courses for more advanced programmers interested in mastering complex R skills. Noble’s Data Analytics with R Bootcamp is an immersive class designed to take participants from the basics of coding to a portfolio showcasing your experience working with R. Those enrolled receive expert instruction and can retake the class for up to one year to brush up on course materials. 

Noble also offers a variety of in-person and live online coding classes that prepare participants to become Data Scientists or Web Developers. Courses are available in popular programming languages such as JavaScript and Python, as well as front end and full stack web development. Certificates are also offered in software engineering and data science. For students seeking instruction about using programming for finance technology, Noble currently has a FinTech bootcamp available as well, which includes one-on-one mentoring for all participants.

In addition to the variety of programming courses Noble teaches, this top educational provider also has several in-person and live online Data Analytics classes. Noble’s Data Analytics Technologies Bootcamp is a beginner-friendly course that prepares students to work with core data analytics tools like SQL, Excel, and Tableau. In addition, a certificate in data analytics is also available for those interested in becoming a Business Analyst or Data Analyst. This rigorous learning opportunity prepares students to perform data analysis, statistical analysis, and data visualization, as well as how to use relational databases. All students receive one-on-one mentoring to help with their learning process.

Key Insights

• R programming helps accomplish many data-related tasks, such as data storage, analysis, and visualization. This open-source language also has a range of applications for completing statistical tasks and creating data visualizations.
• R is considered a more complicated programming language than Python and others due to its complicated syntax, numerous GUIs, and extensive command set. 
• Learning R programming is easier than ever, thanks to the abundance of in-person and online resources. Students can study R in the traditional classroom environment or elect to learn remotely with live online or self-paced study.
• You can receive comprehensive R training through one of Noble Desktop’s in-person or live online R classes.