Loops and Functions

Abstract

When reading this book for the first time, you may skip this chapter, as building functions1 and programming loops2 are probably not among the first R proce- dures you want to learn, unless these subjects are your prime interests. In general, people perceive these techniques as difficult, hence the asterisk in the chapter title. Once mastered, however, these tools can save enormous amounts of time, especially when executing a large number of similar commands.