Importing R functions from cloud storage

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1

Hey everyone! I’m trying to figure out how to import R functions that I’ve stored online. I know we can bring in spreadsheet data from cloud services, but what about actual R code?

Here’s what I want to do:

  1. Write an R function
  2. Save it to a cloud storage service
  3. Import it directly into R from anywhere

The goal is to access my custom functions quickly when I’m working on different computers. Has anyone done this before? Any tips or tricks would be super helpful!

Here’s a simple example of the kind of function I’m talking about:

quick_stats <- function(data, use_median = TRUE) {
  if (use_median) {
    center <- median(data)
    spread <- IQR(data)
  } else {
    center <- mean(data)
    spread <- sd(data)
  }
  
  return(list(center = center, spread = spread))
}

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

2

I’ve been down this road before, and here’s what worked for me. Instead of cloud storage, I started using an R package called ‘remoter’. It lets you set up a server on one machine and connect to it from anywhere. This way, all my functions are centralized and always up-to-date.

Here’s the gist:

  1. Install ‘remoter’ on your main machine
  2. Set up a server with your functions
  3. Connect from other computers using the client

It’s a bit more setup initially, but it’s been a game-changer for me. No more syncing issues or outdated versions. Plus, you can run computations on your main machine remotely, which is handy for heavy lifting.

Just remember to secure your connection if you’re working with sensitive data. It’s not foolproof, but it’s served me well for accessing my custom functions across different setups.

3

hey, try googledrive. u can upload ur script and then use library(googledrive) + drive_get(‘my_functions.R’) followed by source(file_path). it’s simple and i do this often. check permissions to avoid issues.

4

I’ve found a reliable method for importing R functions from cloud storage. First, store your R script containing the functions in a service like GitHub or Dropbox. Then use the source() function in R to load it directly from the URL. For example:

source(‘https://raw.githubusercontent.com/yourusername/repo/main/functions.R’)

This approach works well for accessing your custom functions across different machines. Just ensure your script is publicly accessible or that you have set up the proper authentication. Version control can also help manage changes over time and streamline workflows across multiple computers.