Get Started with the RStudio Lab

RStudio Interface

When you enter the RStudio lab, you will see the interface shown below, including watermarks displaying your account information and the lab launch time.

In the top-right corner, the Remaining Time timer will show the countdown of your available lab time.

The RStudio interface consists of four main panels:

1. Script Editor (top-left): This is where you write and edit your R code.
2. Console (bottom-left): The Console displays the output of the code you run, which allows you to see results immediately.

3. Environment and History (top-right): Environment shows the variables and data frames you create or import. History lists the commands you have previously executed.

4. Files, Plots, and Packages (bottom-right): Files tab displays the files saved in your lab workspace.

Plots tab shows any plots or visualizations you create.

Packages tab lists all R packages installed in your lab workspace. You can click the checkbox next to a package to load it for use in your session.

Create and Open a File

To create a new file, click the icon on the top‑left toolbar next to the R logo, or open the File menu and select New File. Then choose the type of file you want to create.

To open an existing file, go to the File menu on the toolbar. Alternatively, you can use the Files tab in the bottom-right panel and double-click the file you want to open.

Load the Embedded Dataset

In a DAP lab, datasets are embedded within your workspace. Depending on how your lab is set up, you may encounter one of the following situations:

• A pre-uploaded file with data-loading code

Some labs include a file that already contains the code needed to load the dataset.

To read the dataset, open the pre-uploaded file and run the code inside it to load the data into your environment.

• No Pre-written File Available

If your lab does not include a preloaded data-loading file, you can write your own code to load the dataset.

For step-by-step guidance, open the Instructions panel on the lab launch page. It includes example code that you can copy into your R script and run it to locate and load the embedded dataset.

Save a File

To save the file, click the Save icon on the Toolbar, or select “Save” from the File menu:

You can check the Files tab to confirm that your file has been successfully saved.