[R] questions on some operators in R

[Erik Iverson]

Greg Snow wrote:
> Your example could also be used as an argument against allowing '=' as a shortcut for <- after all if you are used to using <- (rather than =) then you will see the problem with x<-2 right off.  But if we eliminate <- and only use =, then how do you do:
> 
>> mean( x <- rnorm(100) )
> 
> Or 
> 
>> system.time( output <- longrunningfunction(args) )
> 
> Is 
> 
>> mean( { x=rnorm(100) } )
> 
> Really and improvement?

Certainly not in my mind!

For me, here is certainly an undefinable aesthetic appeal to the '<-' 
assignment operator.  The visual requirement of seeing '<-' for me is so 
strong, that even when running example code from this list, I must 
replace all assignments done with '=' to '<-' before submitting them to 
R! I've also noticed that there seems to be an association between using 
'=' for assignments and writing code with 0 spaces per line in it.  Of 
course, I insist on fixing that before running the code, too.  :)