What is R?
R is a free, open-source programming language and software environment for statistical computing, data analysis and visualisation. It is one of the most widely used languages for analysing data in scientific research and is used extensively in teaching, research and industry across disciplines including the biological, environmental, medical, social and data sciences.
R can be used to:
- import, manage and manipulate data
- perform statistical analyses and modelling
- create graphs and other data visualisations
- automate and reproduce analyses
- extend analyses using thousands of specialist packages
You do not need previous programming experience, you can get started with the video series and book found in the Guides section.
How to install R
R can be installed on University computers through the Software Center, and is also available for personal Windows, macOS and Linux devices directly from the R Project through the Comprehensive R Archive Network (CRAN).
Many people use R through an integrated development environment such as RStudio or Positron, which provides additional tools for writing code, managing projects and viewing results.
Related Resources
Further information about the Toolkit service can be found on our IT Services web pages.