

UPDATE R FROM RSTUDIO INSTALL
The Preview version includes new (upcoming) features, but it is also generally very stable and highly usable. Updating RStudio is easy, just go to Help > Check for Updates to install newer version. The Preview version is often the same as the general release.īut in the build-up to a new general release, the Preview release is used for release candidates. Unless you have a specific reason to prefer the released version, try the Preview. A key component of staying safe online is keeping your apps. In particular, you can no longer install pre-built binary add-on packages from CRAN. Our home updater is a free, easy-to-use program that keeps over 300 apps updated on your PC. To update R on Windows, try using the package installr (only for Windows). Once you are 2 minor versions behind (4.5.whatever or earlier in this example), you will start to suffer. 2) I also recommend downloading Rstudio to make your life a little easier. It’s probably OK if you are still on 4.6.whatever, which is one minor version behind and is called “r-oldrel”.īeing one minor version behind usually doesn’t cause trouble. As the 4.something series unfolds, I advise that you never fall more than 1 minor version behind.Ĭoncrete example: let’s say the released version of R is 4.7.1, which is totally fictional and well beyond the current version of R at the time of writing. You can be more relaxed about upgrading minor versions, but you still want to stay reasonably current. It is a good idea to be on the current major version, meaning 4.something at this point, especially if you want to get the most out of a workshop.Įach major version is followed by several years of smaller releases (minor and patch releases). Is your R version “old”? R had a major version change in April 2020, with the release of 4.0.0.

By definition, these problems are going away and we’d rather focus on edge cases with current versions, which affect lots of people. Also, frankly, there is a limit to our motivation.

In live workshops, there is a limit to how much we can help with ancient versions of R or RStudio. But at some point, running old versions of software adds unnecessary difficulty. You don’t want to adopt new things on day one.
UPDATE R FROM RSTUDIO HOW TO
5.1 How to think about upgrading R and RStudio
