How to store package-specific settings in R: options() vs. ReferenceClasses

Question

I'm just thinking out loud about this one. So far I was saving all package-specific settings in options. I have some experience with ReferenceClasses (thanks to Rook), and I've seen that knitr uses RC to save package-specific staff. I'd like to know more about pros/cons of both approaches. Or maybe you'd like to recommend another approach (e.g. sourcing R file located in getwd() on startup, much like devtools and .Rpackages)?

Ideas?

The devtools use case is slightly different - it needs to maintain options across sessions, not just within a session. — hadley, Mar 28 '12 at 19:27
Maybe I am a version behind, but in knitr 0.4 I just see use of environments and no ReferenceClasses. — Dirk Eddelbuettel, Mar 29 '12 at 01:01
well... what do you know... =) It's my speak-before-think syndrome again! Or is it just do-not-think syndrome? — aL3xa, Mar 29 '12 at 11:14
Is there actually some kind of "solution" to this question/thinking? I am having the same issue and I am not sure what to choose. — drmariod, Nov 11 '15 at 12:37

score 8 · Answer 1 · answered Mar 28 '12 at 18:58

8

You can also store options in an environment stored at the top-level of your package. That may be closest to options() use, while avoiding the global variable.

answered Mar 28 '12 at 18:58

Dirk Eddelbuettel

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Ah, yeah... that too! Would you prefer that over `options` and why? =) – aL3xa Mar 28 '12 at 19:04
+1 -- see `library(foreach); foreach:::.foreachGlobals` for example. – GSee Mar 28 '12 at 19:04
@aL3xa: as I said, it avoids a global, and hence a possible (if unlikely) clash, or side-effect, or clobbering. – Dirk Eddelbuettel Mar 28 '12 at 19:06
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Isn't a reference class singleton instance defined at the top level of the package, with defined api, a better solution than an ad-hoc environment? – Martin Morgan Mar 28 '12 at 19:10
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Martin, do you have a favorite example package doing that I should look at? – Dirk Eddelbuettel Mar 29 '12 at 01:00

How to store package-specific settings in R: options() vs. ReferenceClasses

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