[R] Basic question about: <<- and method start with dot.

[Rolf Turner]

On 02/10/12 17:00, Fabrice Tourre wrote:
> Dear list,
>
> When I read some source code, I find lot of place used  symbol <<- , e.g.
>
> lastTime <<- newTime;
>
> What is the meaning here?
?"<<-"

See also:

     require("fortunes")
     fortune("<<-")
>
> Also, I find some method with the name start with dot, e.g.
>
> .RowStandardizeCentered = function(x) {
> 	div = sqrt( rowSums(x^2) );
> 	div[ div == 0 ] = 1;
> 	return( x/div );
> }
>
> What is the special meaning for the method name start with a dot?
?ls
Note the argument "all.names".

     cheers,

         Rolf Turner