[R] Problem with object inside a function

[Duncan Murdoch]

On 20/04/2008 9:40 AM, Ronaldo Reis Junior wrote:
> Hi all,
> 
> I have a problem with an object inside a formula in a function that I make.
> 
> I create an object named qvartemp. This object is OK, look the levels:
> 
>> print(levels(qvartemp))
> [1] "baixomedio" "alto"
> 
> Now I create a new object with a new formula:
>  
>> new.form <- as.formula(gsub(qvar,"qvartemp",as.expression(mma$formula)))
> 
> Look this new object:
> 
>> print(new.form)
> Riqueza ~ Biomassa * qvartemp
> 
> Now here is the problem, I try to update an existing model (mma) changing the 
> formula by the new.form
> 
> mmaa <- update(mma,new.form)
> 
> But my function is aborted with this message:
> 
> Error in eval(expr, envir, enclos) : object "qvartemp" not found
> 
> If I create this object qvartemp in R section manually it my function work, 
> because it get the object from my workspace (but it is usefull just for 
> testing), but my function dont find this object qvartemp created inside the 
> function.
> 
> If I run all my function line by line without use the function it work, I 
> think that is because in this case the object is created in my workspace. But 
> when I run a function the object is created only in memory (not in my 
> workspece) and in this case update dont find this object.
> 
> Anybody can suggest any Idea to fix it? I necessary I send my function and a 
> example.

Formulas have attached environments; that's where they look for the 
variables they use.  You created new.form, but didn't give it the 
environment of the old one.

I think all you need is

environment(new.form) <- environment(mma$formula)

Duncan Murdoch