[R] Statistical computing

[Liaw, Andy]

I can't even be called a novice in either Perl or Python, but...

I believe one of the big virtue of Python is code readability.  IIRC that
was one of the original design goals of Python.  (There is a quote: "Python
is beautiful, but Perl is more fun.")

Cheers,
Andy

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bashir Saghir (Aztek Global) 
> [mailto:Saghir.Bashir at ucb-group.com]
> Sent: Monday, March 31, 2003 9:24 AM
> To: 'Tanya Murphy'; Bashir Saghir (Aztek Global);
> r-help at stat.math.ethz.ch
> Subject: RE: [R] Statistical computing
> 
> 
> <snip>
> >Saghir, why do you prefer Python?
> <snip>
> 
> I was thinking about learning Perl many years ago and I asked 
> my system
> admin for advice. His enthusiasm for Python steered me away 
> from Perl and
> I've been hooked since. Basically it is easy to learn and program
> development is quick. 
> Saghir
> 
> > >===== Original Message From "Bashir Saghir (Aztek Global)" 
> > <Saghir.Bashir at UCB-Group.com> =====
> > >Dear Tanya,
> > >
> > >Have you considered using Python (www.python.org) instead 
> of Perl? I use
> > >Python, LaTeX, and R for doing what you describe. My 
> process is evolving
> > and
> > >cannot recommend it as being the best. Essentially I am 
> moving towards a
> > >database approach currently using dictionaries in Python. 
> In the longer
> > term
> > >I plan to switch to MySQL.
> > >
> > >In summary I split the problem into bits that link into a 
> relational
> > >database and use meta data to run my reports. So once the 
> data base is
> > set
> > >up I only need to give the key information and my programs find all
> > relevant
> > >information in the database meaning that I never need to modify any
> > programs
> > >to run a report with new data - just the database.
> > >
> > >I don't know of any references for this bnut if you get any to your
> > original
> > >query I would be interested.
> > >
> > >Best regards,
> > >Saghir
> > >
> > >> -----Original Message-----
> > >> From:	Tanya Murphy [SMTP:tmurph6 at po-box.mcgill.ca]
> > >> Sent:	Friday, 28 March, 2003 5:42 PM
> > >> To:	r-help
> > >> Subject:	[R] Statistical computing
> > >>
> > >> Hello,
> > >>
> > >> I've been trying to familiarize myself with the 
> computing tools of the
> > >> trade
> > >> (e.g. SAS, R, Perl, LaTex) and I've been getting 
> somewhere with the
> > >> individual
> > >> programs, but I'm trying to get a better sense of how to 
> integrate
> > these
> > >> tools. I'd like to use scripts and create reports in a 
> more organized
> > way.
> > >> Can
> > >> anyone recommend books or, better yet free online 
> articles, on this
> > topic?
> > >>
> > >> Maybe I should be a little more specific about what I do: I'm a
> > research
> > >> assistant in clinical epidemiology doing mainly data 
> management and
> > >> analysis.
> > >> I do a number of repetitive tasks like updating a 
> research database
> > from
> > >> the
> > >> original clinic database and other sources, create 
> reports, create
> > >> graphical
> > >> output for individual patients, as well as work on 
> individual research
> > >> projects. Unfortunately I am not working closely with 'real'
> > statisticians
> > >> who
> > >> have probably developped good work habits using these 
> tools. Any advice
> > on
> > >>
> > >> 'the big picture' would be greatly appreciated.
> > >>
> > >> Thanks!
> > >>
> > >> Tanya Murphy
> > >>
> > 
> > 
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