[R] use value in variable to be name of another variable

[Rolf Turner]

On 12/07/16 10:13, Matthew wrote:
> Hi Jim,
>
>    Wow ! And it does exactly what I was looking for.  Thank you very much.
>
> That assign function is pretty nice. I should become more familiar with it.

Indeed you should, and assign() is indeed nice and useful and handy. 
But it should be used with care and circumspection.  It *alters the 
global environment* which is fraught with peril.  Generally speaking 
most things that can be done with assign() (and its companion function 
get()) are better and more safely done using lists and functions and 
other "natural" R-ish constructs.  Resist the temptation to turn R into 
a macro language.

cheers,

Rolf Turner

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