[R] modifying code in contributed libraries - changes from versions 1.* to 2.*

[Jari Oksanen]

On 22 Nov 2005, at 17:35, Brian S Cade wrote:

> Having finally updated from R 1.91 to R 2.2.0 with my installation of a
> new computer, I discovered that something has changed drastically about
> the way code for contributed packages is stored when installed in a 
> local
> version of R.  In the 1.* versions it was easy for me to go in and 
> modify
> some of the code for a contributed package by using a text editor to
> change the script files (these were the files usually stored under the
> package name\R folder).  Now under R 2.2 when I look at the same 
> location
> (package name\R folder) there are 3 files, one with no extension, one 
> with
> .rdb extension, and one with a .rdx extension and none of these seem 
> to be
> text files that can be easily edited (at least not as I did before).  
> Now
> I know I can edit a specific function after I've loaded a package into 
> a
> specific workspace, but I would like to edit the contributed package so
> that anytime I load it the changes I've made are implemented.  While 
> I'm
> not generally in the habit of modifying other peoples code, when I 
> find a
> problem that I know how to fix, I'ld like to fix it - once.

I think the best way of fixing problems is to send your edited code to 
the package maintainer so that she (or he) can fix it now and in the 
future versions. If you want to fix the problem only privately, you may 
consider making your private package from your private fixes of 
functions from public CRAN package(s), and load that when you need.

>  I suspect I'm
> missing something pretty obvious about how to edit these but my search 
> of
> the online documentation, etc. didn't suggest any simple approach like 
> I
> use to do.  Any help would be welcome.
>
> Brian
>
> Brian S. Cade
>
> U. S. Geological Survey
> Fort Collins Science Center
> 2150 Centre Ave., Bldg. C
> Fort Collins, CO  80526-8818
>
> email:  brian_cade at usgs.gov
> tel:  970 226-9326
> 	[[alternative HTML version deleted]]
>
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--
Jari Oksanen, Oulu, Finland