Export Data from R (csv , txt and other formats) | R Tutorial 1.6 | MarinStatsLectures

MarinStatsLectures-R Programming & Statistics
10 Apr 201805:03
EducationalLearning
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TLDRIn this video, Mike Marin demonstrates how to export data from R using various commands. He starts with the 'write.table' command, explaining how to save data as a CSV file, customize the file format, and specify the file path. Marin also covers alternatives like 'write.csv' and 'write.csv2' commands and shows how to export data as tab-delimited and space-separated files. The video aims to equip viewers with the necessary tools to export data in their desired formats from R, enhancing their data management capabilities.

Takeaways
  • ๐Ÿ“˜ The video is about exporting data from R to external files, focusing on various methods to save data after processing in R.
  • ๐Ÿ” Mike Marin, the presenter, provides a simple example named 'DataToExport' to demonstrate the export process.
  • ๐Ÿ’พ The 'write.table' command is introduced as the most flexible method for exporting data, with a default set of parameters.
  • ๐Ÿ“ The script includes instructions on how to save the data in a CSV file format using the 'write.table' command with the 'sep' argument set to a comma.
  • ๐Ÿ“‹ The default behavior of R in saving row names in the exported file is mentioned, and how to disable it by setting 'row.names' to False.
  • ๐Ÿšจ A warning is given about overwriting files without warning when using the same file name for export.
  • ๐Ÿ“ The video explains how to save files in a specific directory by including the path in the 'write.table' command.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Alternative commands to 'write.table' are presented, such as 'write.csv', which simplifies the export to CSV by omitting the 'sep' argument.
  • ๐ŸŒ The 'write.csv2' command is mentioned for use in Western Europe, which uses a comma for decimal points and a semicolon as a separator.
  • ๐Ÿ”ง The flexibility of 'write.table' is emphasized for exporting data in different formats, such as tab-delimited or space-separated files.
  • ๐Ÿ”— Links to download the example data and the R script are available in the video description for further reference.
Q & A
  • What is the purpose of exporting data out of R?

    -Exporting data out of R allows you to save changes or summaries you have made to your data in R as a file outside of R for further use or sharing.

  • Which command is considered the most flexible for exporting data in R?

    -The 'write.table' command is considered the most flexible for exporting data in R.

  • How can you access the help menu for the 'write.table' command?

    -You can access the help menu for the 'write.table' command by placing a question mark in front of the command name or by searching for the command in the help search window.

  • What does the 'sep' argument in the 'write.table' command specify?

    -The 'sep' argument in the 'write.table' command specifies the file format or separator for the values. For example, setting 'sep' to a comma creates a CSV file.

  • How can you prevent R from saving row names when exporting a file?

    -You can prevent R from saving row names by setting the 'row.names' argument to FALSE in the 'write.table' command.

  • What happens if you export a file using the same name as an existing file?

    -Exporting a file using the same name as an existing file will overwrite the previously saved file without giving a warning.

  • How can you save a file to a location other than the current working directory?

    -To save a file outside of the current working directory, you need to include the path to the desired save location along with the filename in the 'write.table' command.

  • What is the difference between 'write.table' and 'write.csv' commands?

    -The 'write.csv' command is a specialized version of 'write.table' that automatically uses a comma as the separator, so you do not need to specify the 'sep' argument.

  • What is the 'write.csv2' command used for?

    -The 'write.csv2' command is used in some places in Western Europe and uses a comma for a decimal point and a semicolon as a separator.

  • How can you export data as a tab-delimited text file using the 'write.table' command?

    -You can export data as a tab-delimited text file by setting the file extension to .txt and the separator to '\t' in the 'write.table' command.

  • How can you export data with spaces separating the values?

    -You can export data with spaces separating the values by leaving a blank space in the 'sep' argument in the 'write.table' command.

Outlines
00:00
๐Ÿ“Š Exporting Data from R with 'write.table'

In this paragraph, Mike Marin introduces the topic of exporting data from R using the 'write.table' command. He provides an example of how to export a dataset named 'DataToExport' and save it as a CSV file in the current working directory. The paragraph covers the default settings of the command and how to access the help menu. It also demonstrates how to modify the command to exclude row names and how to overwrite files without warnings. Additionally, Mike explains how to save files in different directories by specifying the path and filename.

Mindmap
Keywords
๐Ÿ’กExport
Exporting refers to the process of transferring data from one system or environment to another. In the context of the video, 'export' is the action of saving data that has been manipulated or summarized in R to a file format that can be viewed or used outside of the R environment. The script demonstrates how to export data using the 'write.table' command, which is a key concept for sharing or archiving data.
๐Ÿ’กData
Data in this video script represents the information or values that have been worked on within the R programming environment. The script discusses how to export this data to a file after performing certain operations on it. The term 'DataToExport' is used to refer to a specific object in R that contains the data to be exported, illustrating the concept of data manipulation and storage.
๐Ÿ’กR
R is a programming language and software environment for statistical computing and graphics. It is widely used for data analysis, and the video script focuses on how to export data from this environment. The script provides examples of R commands used to export data, showcasing the functionality of R for data handling and file output.
๐Ÿ’กwrite.table
The 'write.table' command in R is a function used to write data to a file. The script explains that this is the most flexible command for exporting data, allowing the user to specify various parameters such as the separator and whether to include row names. It is central to the video's demonstration of data exportation in R.
๐Ÿ’กCSV
CSV stands for 'Comma Separated Values' and is a file format used to store and organize data in a tabular form, with each value separated by a comma. The script mentions CSV as the default file format for exporting data using the 'write.table' command, highlighting its common use for data exchange and analysis.
๐Ÿ’กSeparator
In the context of data files, a separator is a character or symbol used to delimit the values within the file. The script explains how to use the 'sep' argument in the 'write.table' command to specify the type of separator, such as a comma for CSV files, which is crucial for correctly formatting the exported data.
๐Ÿ’กRow Names
Row names in a data table are identifiers for each row. The script discusses the option to include or exclude row names when exporting data using the 'write.table' command. It mentions setting the 'row.names' argument to False to avoid exporting row names, which is an important consideration for the desired format of the exported data.
๐Ÿ’กCurrent Working Directory
The current working directory in R is the directory where the system looks for files by default when no path is specified. The script mentions that the exported file is saved in the current working directory, and it also provides a hint to learn how to set this directory, which is important for file management within R.
๐Ÿ’กFile Path
A file path is the location in a file system where a file is stored. The script explains how to specify a file path when exporting data to a location outside the current working directory. This is demonstrated by including the path in the 'write.table' command, allowing users to organize their exported files in specific folders.
๐Ÿ’กAlternatives
The script mentions alternatives to the 'write.table' command, such as 'write.csv' and 'write.csv2', which are used for exporting data in different formats or conventions. The mention of alternatives highlights the flexibility and variety of options available in R for data exportation, catering to different user needs and file format requirements.
๐Ÿ’กTab Delimited
Tab delimited refers to a file format where data values are separated by tab spaces. The script shows how to export data as a tab delimited text file by setting the 'sep' argument to '\t' in the 'write.table' command. This is an example of how R can be used to create different types of delimited text files for various data sharing or processing purposes.
๐Ÿ’กSpace Delimited
Space delimited is a file format where data values are separated by spaces. The script demonstrates exporting data with spaces as separators by leaving the 'sep' argument blank in the 'write.table' command. This is another example of the customization available in R for data exportation, allowing for different preferences in data organization.
Highlights

Introduction to the video by Mike Marin on exporting data from R.

Explanation of the common need to export modified or summarized data as a file outside of R.

Introduction of the 'DataToExport' object used as an example in the video.

Availability of the data and R script for download in the video description.

Introduction of the 'write.table' command as the most flexible for exporting data.

How to access the help menu for the 'write.table' command.

Step-by-step guide on using 'write.table' with default values to export data.

Specifying the file name and format using the 'write.table' command.

Default behavior of R to save row names in the exported file.

Method to prevent row names from being saved by setting 'row.names' to False.

Warning about overwriting files without warning when using the same name.

Demonstration of how to save files in a specific directory by specifying the path.

Alternative to 'write.table' with the 'write.csv' command for CSV files.

Mention of 'write.csv2' for Western Europe's decimal and separator conventions.

Advantage of 'write.table' for saving in different file formats, such as tab-delimited text files.

How to save a file with space-separated values by leaving the 'sep' argument blank.

Final review of the different file formats created during the tutorial.

Conclusion and call to action for viewers to subscribe, like, and visit the website for more videos.

Transcripts
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