[R] two questions for R beginners

[(Ted Harding)]

On 01-Mar-10 22:44:22, Jim Lemon wrote:
> On 03/02/2010 02:02 AM, Karl Ove Hufthammer wrote:
>>...
>> Of course I agree that 'the idea of a list is so fundamental to R that
>> it needs to be something learned pretty early', but is there any harm
>> in
>> slightly 'blur[ing] the distinction between dataframes and matrices',
>> as
>> a convenience to the user? Or, in other words, what does one *gain* by
>> having '$' on named matrices and vectors give a confusing error
>> message
>> instead of the expected results? Dinstinction for dinstinction's own
>> sake is of little use.
>>
> 
> Matrices are all one type, from finish back to start,
> while lists can manage many just by keeping them apart.
> Like foxes, geese and corn that must be ferried 'cross the Styx,
> it's not a good idea to let the separate columns mix.
> So yield not to temptation when the two appear to match,
> for appearances mislead and in the substance lies the catch.
> Convenience is a quicksand that can suck the user down.
> 'Tis better to avoid the stuff and know one's way around.
> 
> Jim

That HAS to be a Fortune!!!!!
Ted.

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Date: 01-Mar-10                                       Time: 23:08:20
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