Assignment 1

In this first assignment, I’m asking you to do three things:

1. Make sure you’ve got your computer set up for class with all required software loaded and working.
2. Practice working with RStudio.
3. Practice working with Markdown syntax.

Software installation

Install all the software required for the course. Please set up a time to meet with me ASAP if you are having issues.

Practice with RStudio

1. Open RStudio

2. Initialize a New File > R Script in RStudio. Save it as <lastname>_assignment_1.R, replacing <lastname> with your last name. (You can complete these steps using either the drop down menus or the icons.)

   Don’t forget to add .R to the end of your file. You will know you’ve done it correctly if the tab with your file name changes to include an icon that looks like a sheet of paper with an “R” superimposed on it. Also, don’t forget where you saved it on your computer (you’ll need to be able to find it so that you can upload it to CANVAS).

3. Copy the following code snippet into your file and save the file:

   ## install rmarkdown package
   install.packages("rmarkdown")
      
   ## install tinytex
   install.packages("tinytex")
   tinytex::install_tinytex()
   

4. Run the code to install the RMarkdown package either by
   1. Highlighting the code and pushing the Run button
   2. Putting your cursor on the line of code and using the key combo of Command-Enter (Mac) or Control-Enter (Windows) to run

Practice with Markdown syntax

NB: Use The Markdown Guide at www.markdownguide.org to help you with this portion of the assignment.

1. Open RStudio

2. Initialize a New File > Text File in RStudio. Save it as <lastname>_assignment_1.md, replacing <lastname> with your last name. (You can complete these steps using either the drop down menus or the icons.)

   Don’t forget to add .md to the end of your file. You will know you’ve done it correctly if the tab with your file name changes to include an icon that looks like a sheet of paper with an “MD” superimposed on it. Also, don’t forget where you saved it on your computer (you’ll need to be able to find it so that you can upload it to CANVAS).

3. Within your file, please include the following:
   1. A top-level (h1) header with the assignment name: “Assignment 1”

   2. The following sentence, but add markdown syntax so that one word is bolded, one is italicized, and one is bold italicized:

        In God we trust. All others must bring data.
      

   3. An unordered list of 3-5 book titles (italicized) with author
   4. A block quote of one of your favorite short quotes (don’t forget to include attribution)
   5. A code block with the code x <- 1 inside
4. Check that your file builds correctly using RStudio’s Preview button. You’ll see that a *.pdf or an *.html version of the file will be saved in same place as your *.md file. Whether it is a PDF or HTML file will depend on whether you selected to Preview HTML or Preview PDF if you clicked the down arrow instead of the button directly (the default if you click the button should be *.html).

Submission details

• Upload both files (<lastname>_assignment_1.R and <lastname>_assignment_1.md) to our CANVAS course site no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT on the due date.