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

[Matthew]

Hi Rolf,

     Thanks for the warning. I think because my initial efforts used the 
assign function, that Jim provided his solution using it.

     Any suggestions for how it could be done without assign() ?

Matthew

On 7/11/2016 6:31 PM, Rolf Turner wrote:
> 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
>