R Graphics - The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

Abstract

The present R graphics system was originally written as a placeholder, which could be replaced when a better alternative became available. This temporary solution has now become so entrenched that it is probably no longer possible to remove it. In this paper we will look at some of what is possible in the R graphics system, how it could be improved, and what might not be fixable. We will also look at how the existing system might be augmented and see what tradeoffs might be involved in adding an additional graphics system.