Learn R Programming

installr (version 0.15.3)

updateR: Checks for the latest R version, and if there is a newer version of R - downloads and installs it.

Description

This function performs the following steps:
  • Check what is the latest R version. If the current installed R version is up-to-date, the function ends (and returns FALSE)
  • If a newer version of R is available, the user is asked if to review the NEWS of the latest R version - in order to decide if to install the newest R or not.
  • If the user wishes to - the function will download and install it. (you will need to press the "next" buttons on your own)
  • Once the installation is done, you should press "any-key", and the function will proceed with copying all of your packages from your old (well, current) R installation, into your newer R installation.
  • You can then erase all of the packages in your old R installation.
  • After your packages are moved (and the old ones possibly erased), you will get the option to update all of your packages in the new version of R.
  • You will be asked if to open the Rgui of your new R.
  • Lastely - you can close the current session of your old R.

Usage

updateR(browse_news, install_R, copy_packages, keep_old_packages,
  update_packages, start_new_R, quit_R, print_R_versions = TRUE,
  use_GUI = TRUE, to_checkMD5sums = TRUE, keep_install_file = FALSE,
  download_dir = tempdir(), silent = FALSE, ...)

Arguments

browse_news
if TRUE (and if there is a newer version of R) - it opens the browser to the NEWS of the latest version of R, for the user to read through
install_R
TRUE/FALSE - if to install a new version of R (if one is available). If missing (this is the default) - the user be asked if to download R or not.Of course the installation part itself (the running of the .exe file) is dependent on the user.
copy_packages
TRUE/FALSE - if to copy your packages from the old version of R to the new version of R. If missing (this is the default) - the user will be asked for his preference (he should say yes, unless he is using a global library folder).
update_packages
TRUE/FALSE - if to update your packages in the new version of R (all packages will be updated without asking confirmation per package) If missing (this is the default) - the user will be asked for his preference (he should say yes, unless he i
keep_old_packages
- if the keep the packages in the library of the old R installation. If missing (this is the default) - the user will be asked for his preference (he should say yes, unless he is using a global library folder).
start_new_R
TRUE/FALSE - if to start the new R (Rgui) after we will quit the old R. Default is TRUE. It will try to start the 64 bit R version, if it does not exist, the 32 bit will be started. This may be less useful for people using RStudio or the likes
quit_R
TRUE/FALSE - if to quite R after the installation and package copying or not. If missing (this is the default) - the user is asked what to do.
print_R_versions
if to tell the user what version he has and what is the latest version (default is TRUE)
use_GUI
a logical indicating whether a graphics menu should be used if available. If TRUE, and on Windows, it will use winDialog, otherwise it will use menu.
to_checkMD5sums
Should we check that the new R installation has the files we expect it to (by checking the MD5 sums)? default is TRUE. It assumes that the R which was isntalled is the latest R version. parameter is passed to install.R()
keep_install_file
If TRUE - the installer file will not be erased after it is downloaded and run.
download_dir
A character of the directory into which to download the file. (default is tempdir())
silent
If TRUE - enables silent installation mode.
...
Other arguments (this is currently not used in any way)

Value

  • a TRUE/FALSE value on whether or not R was updated.

Details

It is worth noting that the function assumes that you are installing R in the same directory as before. That is, if the old R was on: D:RR-3.0.0 then the new R will be on D:RR-3.0.1.

See Also

check.for.updates.R, install.R, copy.packages.between.libraries, uninstall.R

Examples

Run this code
updateR(T, T, T, T, T, T, T)
# # the safest upgrade option: See the NEWS,
# install R, copy packages, keep old packages,
# update packages in the new installation,
# start the Rgui of the new R, and quite current session
# of R

updateR() # will ask you what you want at every decision.

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