Lab 1: Introduction to R, RStudio, and Posit Cloud

Account setup and first exposure to RStudio, including the console, scripts, packages, and basic R syntax.

Overview

In this lab you will set up your Posit Cloud account and complete your first guided interaction with R using RStudio. You will learn how to enter commands, recognize console behavior, and begin working with R scripts.

You will complete a paper handout alongside this lab. That handout serves two purposes:

  1. Learning assistants (LAs) will use it to verify completion
  2. You will keep it as a reference for future labs

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lab, you will be able to:

  • Create and log into a Posit Cloud account
  • Open a new RStudio project in Posit Cloud
  • Identify the main panes in RStudio and their purposes
  • Recognize a clean command prompt and an incomplete command prompt
  • Assign values to objects in R
  • Write and run code from an R script
  • Install and load an R package

These objectives correspond directly to questions on the lab handout.

What You Need Before You Start

Part 1: Create a Posit Cloud Account

  1. Go to https://posit.cloud
  2. Click Sign Up
  3. Choose Sign up with email
  4. Use your MSUM email address
  5. When prompted, select the Cloud Free plan

You only need the free plan for this course.

Once your account is created, log in to Posit Cloud.

Handout:
Check the boxes in Section 1 once you have successfully logged in and opened RStudio.

Part 2: Create a New RStudio Project

After logging in:

  1. From the Posit Cloud dashboard, click New Project
  2. Choose New RStudio Project
  3. Select Empty Project
  4. Accept the default project name

This project belongs to you. We will not use a shared class project today.

Once the project opens, you should see the RStudio interface.

Part 3: RStudio Orientation (Follow Along)

Your instructor will walk you through the RStudio interface.

You should be able to see:

  • Console (where R runs commands)
  • Script Editor (where you write and save code)
  • Environment (shows objects you have created)
  • Files / Plots / Packages pane

Do not explore on your own yet. Follow along as features are introduced.

Handout:
Fill in Section 2 as these panes are explained.

Part 4: Working in the Console (Follow Along)

You will begin by typing commands directly into the Console as your instructor demonstrates.

Topics covered live:

  • What a clean command prompt looks like
  • What happens when a command is incomplete
  • How to recover from an incomplete command
  • Assigning values to objects

Type what your instructor types. Ask questions if something unexpected happens.

Handout:
Complete Section 3 and Section 4 as these ideas are introduced.

Part 5: Creating and Using a Script

Next, you will move from the Console to an R script.

Create a Script

  1. Click File → New File → R Script
  2. A blank script will open in the Script Editor

Copy This Code into Your Script

Copy all of the following code block and paste it into your script:

# Lab 1: Introduction to R and RStudio

# Assign values
x <- 5
y <- 0.2

# Do some basic calculations
x
sqrt(9)
x + y

Run Code from the Script

Your instructor will show you how to:

  • Run a single line of code
  • Run multiple lines of code
  • See results appear in the Console
  • Watch objects appear in the Environment pane

You should not retype this code into the Console. Run it from the script.

Handout:
Make sure you can answer the questions about assigning values and interpreting code.

Part 6: Installing and Loading a Package (Follow Along)

Your instructor will demonstrate how to:

  • Install an R package
  • Load a package using library()

You only need to successfully install and load one package.

Handout:
Check the boxes in Section 5 once this is complete.

Before You Leave

Before leaving the lab:

  1. Make sure all required sections of your handout are filled in
  2. Show your completed handout to a Learning Assistant
  3. The LA will verify completion for credit

Do not leave without having your handout checked.

Looking Ahead

In future labs, you will:

  • Use shared class projects
  • Work with data files
  • Write longer scripts
  • Produce tables and plots

Today’s lab was about getting set up and learning how to interact with R safely and predictably.