[R] difference between assignment syntax <- vs =

[Patrick Burns]

Since this topic came up, I've been thinking that
that sentence needs more work.

The "standard" is not from me -- I'm a bit more
agnostic than the statement although I personally
always use '<-'.  I'm thinking a revised version
might be something along the lines of:

Standard advice from most long-time R users is
to avoid using '=' when you mean '<-'.  However,
as long as you avoid the traps, it is really a matter
of taste.

Rejoinders, etc. will be considered for whenever
a revised Inferno appears.

Pat


Thomas Mang wrote:
> Hi,
>
> thanks for the link.
>
> In the bottom part of the relevant section, you say:
> "Standard advice is to avoid using '=' when you mean '<-'...."
> Is this a formal, generally accepted (R community) advice, or does it 
> reflect you personal opinion?
> Note I am not asking this question as to criticize by any means, but 
> instead I just want to know for my own work (which will be partially 
> released to others) if the '<-' - style is the preferred one 
> (Personally, with a strong background from other programming 
> languages, I have always used '=' so far).
>
> thanks,
> Thomas
>
>
>
> Patrick Burns wrote:
>> 'The R Inferno' page 78 is one source you can
>> look at.
>>
>>
>> Patrick Burns
>> patrick at burns-stat.com
>> +44 (0)20 8525 0696
>> http://www.burns-stat.com
>> (home of "The R Inferno" and "A Guide for the Unwilling S User")
>>
>> Thomas Mang wrote:
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> Both operators <- and = can be used to make an assignment. My 
>>> question is: Is there a semantic difference between these two? Some 
>>> time ago, I remember I have read that because of some reason, one 
>>> should be given preference over the other - but I cannot remember 
>>> the source, nor the argument, nor which operator the preferred was.
>>>
>>> What is the present state ?
>>> Is still one version better than the other, or is it only a matter 
>>> of taste what to use ?
>>>
>>> thanks
>>> Thomas
>>>
>>> ______________________________________________
>>> R-help at r-project.org mailing list
>>> https://stat.ethz.ch/mailman/listinfo/r-help
>>> PLEASE do read the posting guide 
>>> http://www.R-project.org/posting-guide.html
>>> and provide commented, minimal, self-contained, reproducible code.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> ______________________________________________
>> R-help at r-project.org mailing list
>> https://stat.ethz.ch/mailman/listinfo/r-help
>> PLEASE do read the posting guide 
>> http://www.R-project.org/posting-guide.html
>> and provide commented, minimal, self-contained, reproducible code.
>>
>
> ______________________________________________
> R-help at r-project.org mailing list
> https://stat.ethz.ch/mailman/listinfo/r-help
> PLEASE do read the posting guide 
> http://www.R-project.org/posting-guide.html
> and provide commented, minimal, self-contained, reproducible code.
>
>