R devel - May 2020 - [External] Feature Request: User Prompt + Message First Execution when "Managing Search Path Conflicts"

> An IDE could provide a more sophisticated interface, like a dialog
> allowing separate choices for each conflict. But this is best left up
> to the IDE or the user.
An IDE (or other user interface) should not alter the behavior of R,
especially the installing/loading/attaching of packages.

There are some possible exceptions:
(1) The global option for width.
(2) Output that would normally appear in a separate window.
(3) Maybe others...

But only as non-defaults, with consent from the user.
Also, while exception (2) may have an intuitive appeal, it's risky
business...

Providing a way to more easily resolve situations that otherwise would
be errors is a reasonable thing for an IDE to do. I would prefer is
such things were optional and off by default, but other way not.

If an IDE does this and you don't approve then you don't have to use
it.

Best,

luke

On Wed, 20 May 2020, Abby Spurdle wrote:
>> An IDE could provide a more sophisticated interface, like a dialog
>> allowing separate choices for each conflict. But this is best left up
>> to the IDE or the user.
>
> An IDE (or other user interface) should not alter the behavior of R,
> especially the installing/loading/attaching of packages.
>
> There are some possible exceptions:
> (1) The global option for width.
> (2) Output that would normally appear in a separate window.
> (3) Maybe others...
>
> But only as non-defaults, with consent from the user.
> Also, while exception (2) may have an intuitive appeal, it's risky
business...
>
-- 
Luke Tierney
Ralph E. Wareham Professor of Mathematical Sciences
University of Iowa                  Phone:             319-335-3386
Department of Statistics and        Fax:               319-335-3017
    Actuarial Science
241 Schaeffer Hall                  email:   luke-tierney at uiowa.edu
Iowa City, IA 52242                 WWW:  http://www.stat.uiowa.edu

On Thu, May 21, 2020 at 10:37 AM <luke-tierney at uiowa.edu>
wrote:
> Providing a way to more easily resolve situations that otherwise would
> be errors is a reasonable thing for an IDE to do.
In principle, yes.
However, I note that the word "easily" could mean different things to
different people.
Certain IDE* (not naming any names, and not distinguishing between
singular/plural), introduce bugs and other problems, by altering R's
behavior.

Also, if they absolutely must change things, perhaps the first thing
they should change is the error messages:

    I'm sorry, this program didn't work.
    It could be R's fault, but probably is the IDE's fault.
    Please do NOT post a message on R-help saying:
        Why did R crash?
    Without first running your code via a terminal.
> I would prefer is
> such things were optional and off by default, but other way not.
That's good to hear.
> If an IDE does this and you don't approve then you don't have to
use
> it.
Yes.
And please let statistics and data science students know that.