Basics

• Readability is important

• E.g.,

  My name is Ethan. I am 36 years old.

  MYnameIS ETHAN………………. I_AM_36 years OLD

• Follow basic rules that make things readable
• Using the same style consistently
• Use the same style as others
• Style Guide

Whitespace

• Indentation what the brain recognizes, use it regardless of language (and braces)
• 2 space indents

stuff <- data %>%
filter() %>%
select()
things <- 2

stuff <- data %>%
  filter() %>%
  select()
things <- 2

• Spaces after commas and around operators

range(x, x + 10)

Naming

• snake_case
• Descriptive: estimate_biomass
• Not too long: estimate_biomass_using_hanson_method
• Use whole words for accessibility

Long lines

• Lines < 80 characters long
• Add an indicator for this in RStudio
  • Tools -> Global Options -> Code -> Display -> Show Margin
• Use implied line continuation
  • If it’s clear that a line isn’t finished R will go on to the next line

site_data <- data.frame(
  site_id = c(1, 2, 3, 4),
  type = c('control', 'control', 'experiment', 'experiment')
)

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