[R] double matrix?

[Don McKenzie]

What are the entries in your matrix?  If they are something that won't coerce to numeric, you need to backtrack. Note how R distinguishes types of characters.

> as.numeric("a")
[1] NA
Warning message:
NAs introduced by coercion 
> as.character(2)
[1] "2"
> as.numeric("2")
[1] 2


On Jul 31, 2013, at 1:47 PM, bruce087 at umn.edu wrote:

> Hi-
> 
> I have a 37 X 473971 character matrix that I am trying to convert into a numeric matrix. When I use the code:
> 
> class(matrix) = "numeric"  
> I end up with something called a "double matrix" whose dimensions are still 37 X 473971
> 
> I have also tried 
> new = apply(matrix,2, as.numeric) and got the same thing.
> 
> The analysis code I am ultimately attempting to run on this data requires that it be in a numerical matrix, and it is really not okay with a double matrix.
> 
> Does anyone know how to fix this?
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> -- 
> Jessica R.B. Musselman, MS
> T32 Trainee/Doctoral Candidate
> University of Minnesota
> Department of Pediatrics
> Division of Epidemiology/Clinical Research
> Mayo Mail Code 715
> Room 1-195 Moos Tower
> 420 Delaware St. SE
> Minneapolis MN 55455
> Phone: (612)626-3281
> email: bruce087 at umn.edu
> 
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Don McKenzie, Research Ecologist
Pacific WIldland Fire Sciences Lab
US Forest Service

Affiliate Professor
School of Forest Resources, College of the Environment
CSES Climate Impacts Group
University of Washington

phone: 206-732-7824
dmck at uw.edu