Write.table()

Definition

The `write.table()` function in R is used to export data frames and matrices to a text file, making it an essential tool for data analysis and sharing results in biological research. This function allows users to specify various parameters, such as the delimiter, whether to include row and column names, and the overall formatting of the output file. By saving data in a structured format, researchers can easily share their findings or prepare datasets for further analysis.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. `write.table()` can export data in various formats including CSV and tab-delimited files by adjusting the `sep` parameter.
2. The function allows users to control whether or not to include row and column names using the `row.names` and `col.names` arguments.
3. Output from `write.table()` can be directed to a specific file location by providing a file path as the first argument.
4. You can customize how missing values are represented in the output file with the `na` argument.
5. When exporting data, `write.table()` has options for controlling how character strings are quoted using the `quote` argument.

Review Questions

• How does the `write.table()` function facilitate data sharing among researchers?
  • `write.table()` enables researchers to export their datasets into text files that can be easily shared with others. By allowing for customizable output formats such as CSV or tab-delimited files, researchers can provide their data in a widely accepted format. This function is crucial in biological research where collaboration often requires sharing large datasets or results with colleagues or publishing them in journals.
• In what ways can you modify the behavior of `write.table()` when exporting your data? Provide examples of specific parameters you might adjust.
  • You can modify several parameters in `write.table()`, such as the `sep` parameter to define your column separator (like using a comma for CSV files). The `row.names` parameter allows you to include or exclude row names from your output. Additionally, you can control how missing values are represented using the `na` argument, which lets you specify what should appear in place of NA values in the exported file.
• Evaluate how using `write.table()` compared to other functions in R, like `saveRDS()`, impacts data accessibility and usability for future analyses.
  • `write.table()` provides a plain text output that enhances accessibility because text files can be opened by various software applications and are easily readable by non-programmers. In contrast, while `saveRDS()` saves an R object in a binary format which preserves all of its attributes and structure, it may not be as user-friendly when sharing with individuals who do not use R. Thus, choosing between these functions involves considering who will access the data and how they intend to use it, balancing usability with the need for maintaining complex data structures.

Related terms

data.frame: A data frame is a two-dimensional, tabular data structure in R that can hold different types of variables (numeric, character, etc.) and is commonly used for storing datasets.

read.table():

The `read.table()` function is used to read data from a text file into R as a data frame, making it complementary to `write.table()` by enabling users to import previously exported data.

CSV (Comma-Separated Values): CSV is a common file format for storing tabular data in plain text, where each line represents a record and columns are separated by commas. `write.table()` can be used to create CSV files by setting the appropriate parameters.