[R] Differences between package and library terminology

Uwe Ligges ligges at statistik.uni-dortmund.de
Wed Mar 2 15:47:46 CET 2005


Adaikalavan Ramasamy wrote:

> Just out of curiosity, what is the difference between the terms for
> package and library ?  Why are we loading a package with the library()
> command ?
> 
> If this is a case of RTFM, I would be happy to do so if pointed in the
> right direction. I have searched the FAQ and mail archives and only came
> up with http://tolstoy.newcastle.edu.au/R/help/05/02/12162.html but this
> still does not explain what is the requirement/features of a package vs.
> library.
> 
> Does this question not qualify to be included in the FAQs.
> 
> Thank you
> 
> Regards, Adai
> 
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It is answered in the FAQs (FAQ 5.2)!
Also, e.g., in the manual "R Installation and Administration" and in R 
News 3(3), pp. 37-39: "R Help Desk: Package Management".

You use library() to load a package from a *library* containing *packages*.

Uwe Ligges




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